NewzIntel.com

Category: United States of America

  • MIL-OSI: Jean Barbagelata Joins Tech CU’s Board of Directors

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SAN JOSE, Calif., July 01, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Today, Tech CU (Technology Credit Union) announced the appointment of Jean Barbagelata to its Board of Directors, serving on both the Compensation Committee and the Nominating and Governance Committee. With more than 30 years of experience in senior leadership roles, Jean brings deep expertise in scaling technology companies, guiding organizational governance, and fostering inclusive, high-performance cultures.

    “We’re thrilled to welcome Jean to our Board of Directors,” said Todd Harris, CEO of Tech CU. “Her experience building and leading high-performing teams at both Fortune 500 companies and innovative startups adds an important perspective to our board.”

    Jean most recently served as Chief People Officer at Matterport, Inc. (NASDAQ: MTTR), where she was part of the executive team that grew revenue by 400% and led the company through its initial public offering in 2021. Prior to that, she held the same position at The RealReal (NASDAQ: REAL) and senior leadership roles at Salesforce and Gap Inc.

    Throughout her career, Jean has helped guide companies through major inflection points by aligning talent strategy with business goals, championing equity and inclusion, and building enduring leadership teams. She is also passionate about the responsible use of technology to expand financial access and create long-term value.

    She holds a bachelor’s degree in business and retailing from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

    About Tech CU
    Tech CU is a $4.7 billion Bay Area credit union. As a federally insured not-for-profit organization, Tech CU has invested its resources to deliver superior rates, lower fees, and outstanding service and member benefits for more than 60 years while also supporting quality of life in local communities. It serves more than 200,000 members throughout the United States and provides financial products for all stages of its members’ lives, including personal banking, wealth management, private banking, commercial lending, and business banking. To learn more, please visit www.techcu.com.

    Contact:
    Linden Kohtz
    Public Relations, Tech CU
    lkohtz@techcu.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: FirstBank’s Cube Hunt Campaign Surprises Communities and Supports Small Businesses

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    LAKEWOOD, Colo., July 01, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — FirstBank, one of the nation’s largest privately held banks with a focus on “banking for good,” is bringing a wave of excitement to Colorado this summer with its “our cube means business” campaign.

    From July 11 through September 5, Coloradans will be provided hints and urged to keep their eyes peeled for the bank’s signature orange cube at select businesses and storefronts across the foothills every Friday. Each surprise event will feature exclusive giveaways, major discounts, and other fun items, all first come, first served.

    The initiative aims to not only spotlight and support local businesses but also create uplifting community moments that reflect FirstBank’s core values. Bank representatives will be on-site each week to hand out giveaways and connect with attendees.

    “Our goal is to celebrate and strengthen small businesses while fostering a sense of community in a fun and memorable way,” said Kevin Classen, CEO of FirstBank. “Whether someone leaves with a generous gift card or discovers a new neighborhood favorite, everyone benefits—and that’s something to feel good about.”

    To keep things exciting, the featured business locations will remain a mystery until the day before each event, with clues revealed on FirstBank’s Instagram, Facebook, and efirstbank.com/cube every Thursday.

    The campaign encourages the community to follow along, join the fun, and discover hidden gems right in their backyard.

    Event Details:

    • What: “Our cube means business” pop-up events.
    • When: Every Friday from July 11 to September 5, 2025.
    • Where: Locations announced on Thursdays on FirstBank social media and efirstbank.com/cube. 
    • Why: To support small businesses and surprise attendees with exclusive giveaways.
    • Note: Events are first come, first served while supplies last. No purchase necessary.

    To learn more about the event, visit efirstbank.com/cube. 

    About FirstBank
    FirstBank began providing banking services in 1963. Today, it’s known as an industry leader in digital banking. It has grown to be one of the top-performing and largest privately held banks in the United States. FirstBank offers a variety of consumer deposit accounts, home equity loans, mortgages, rental property loans, and a full range of commercial banking services, including business financing, commercial real estate loans, treasury management, and more. Since 2000, FirstBank has been recognized as a top corporate philanthropist, contributing more than $90 million and thousands of volunteer hours to charitable organizations. The company is also unique in that a large portion of its stock is owned by management and employees, giving employees a financial stake in the bank’s success through its Employee Stock Ownership Program. For more information, visit www.efirstbank.com. Member FDIC.

    Media Contact
    Cody Wheeler
    (303) 228-6986 x 148

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: FirstBank’s Cube Hunt Campaign Surprises Communities and Supports Small Businesses

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    LAKEWOOD, Colo., July 01, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — FirstBank, one of the nation’s largest privately held banks with a focus on “banking for good,” is bringing a wave of excitement to Colorado this summer with its “our cube means business” campaign.

    From July 11 through September 5, Coloradans will be provided hints and urged to keep their eyes peeled for the bank’s signature orange cube at select businesses and storefronts across the foothills every Friday. Each surprise event will feature exclusive giveaways, major discounts, and other fun items, all first come, first served.

    The initiative aims to not only spotlight and support local businesses but also create uplifting community moments that reflect FirstBank’s core values. Bank representatives will be on-site each week to hand out giveaways and connect with attendees.

    “Our goal is to celebrate and strengthen small businesses while fostering a sense of community in a fun and memorable way,” said Kevin Classen, CEO of FirstBank. “Whether someone leaves with a generous gift card or discovers a new neighborhood favorite, everyone benefits—and that’s something to feel good about.”

    To keep things exciting, the featured business locations will remain a mystery until the day before each event, with clues revealed on FirstBank’s Instagram, Facebook, and efirstbank.com/cube every Thursday.

    The campaign encourages the community to follow along, join the fun, and discover hidden gems right in their backyard.

    Event Details:

    • What: “Our cube means business” pop-up events.
    • When: Every Friday from July 11 to September 5, 2025.
    • Where: Locations announced on Thursdays on FirstBank social media and efirstbank.com/cube. 
    • Why: To support small businesses and surprise attendees with exclusive giveaways.
    • Note: Events are first come, first served while supplies last. No purchase necessary.

    To learn more about the event, visit efirstbank.com/cube. 

    About FirstBank
    FirstBank began providing banking services in 1963. Today, it’s known as an industry leader in digital banking. It has grown to be one of the top-performing and largest privately held banks in the United States. FirstBank offers a variety of consumer deposit accounts, home equity loans, mortgages, rental property loans, and a full range of commercial banking services, including business financing, commercial real estate loans, treasury management, and more. Since 2000, FirstBank has been recognized as a top corporate philanthropist, contributing more than $90 million and thousands of volunteer hours to charitable organizations. The company is also unique in that a large portion of its stock is owned by management and employees, giving employees a financial stake in the bank’s success through its Employee Stock Ownership Program. For more information, visit www.efirstbank.com. Member FDIC.

    Media Contact
    Cody Wheeler
    (303) 228-6986 x 148

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Kaptur and DeLauro Introduce Bill to Rein in Executive Branch Spending Abuses and Uphold Congressional Appropriations Authority

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09)

    Washington, DC — Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09), Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, and Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03), Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Committee, have introduced H.R. 4230 the Appropriations Compliance and Training Act, legislation to restore accountability to the Executive Branch and ensure that Appropriated taxpayer dollars, enacted by Congress and signed into law, are spent in strict accordance with Congressional direction.
     

    “The Power of the Purse rests with Congress. That is established quite clearly in the Constitution, and it has been repeatedly affirmed by the Supreme Court. This Administration has demonstrated time and again a lack of understanding — or worse, deliberate disregard for the direction Congress provides through the Appropriations process,” said Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09). “This is about enforcing the Constitution and safeguarding democracy. We set policy, we provide direction, and we allocate funds. Then, based on those allocations, the Executive Branch must execute — not reinterpret or ignore — what Congress has directed on behalf of the American people. This is not about politics. It is about protecting the constitutional role of Congress, respecting the will of the American people, and ensuring every public dollar is spent lawfully and transparently.”

    “Instead of being laser-focused on the cost-of-living crisis, President Trump is making it worse by illegally stealing resources promised to the American people,” said Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03). “The Trump administration has been lawless from the jump, illegally freezing or taking funding, appropriated in law by Congress, for programs and services across the federal government that help the middle class, the working class, and small businesses and make sure billionaires and big corporations pay taxes. Whether they are a Democrat or a Republican, nobody should be managing American Taxpayers’ hard-earned money if they do not understand the law. This is a common-sense requirement to defend Congress’s power of the purse and reaffirm its constitutional authority over government funding.”

    The bill has already received strong support, with a growing list of cosponsors including Appropriations Committee Members: Rep. Steny Hoyer (MD-05), Rep. James Clyburn (SC-06), Rep. Sanford Bishop (GA-02), Rep. Betty McCollum (MN-04), Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-25), Rep. Chellie Pingree (ME-02), Rep. Grace Meng (NY-06), Rep. Marc Pocan (WI-02), Rep. Lois Frankel (FL-22), Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), Rep. Norma Torres (CA-35), Rep. Ed Case (HI-01), Rep. Adriano Espaillat (NY-13), Rep. Joe Morelle (NY-25), Rep. Mike Levin (CA-49), Rep. Madeleine Dean (PA-04), Rep. Veronica Escobar (TX-16), Rep. Frank Mrvan (IN-01), and Rep. Glenn Ivey (MD-04).

    The Appropriations Compliance and Training Act will require high-ranking federal employees in the Executive Branch to take annual, mandatory training that will ensure their understanding and compliance with Appropriations laws, including the Antideficiency Act and the Impoundment Control Act. These laws clarify Congress’ power of the purse and prohibits the Executive Branch from spending or withholding funds beyond the explicit direction of Congress. The legislation is meant to make sure that all Executive Branch officials clearly understand their legal responsibilities and the potential consequences of violations. It also includes a review of what Congress has directed, through the Appropriations process, for each agency in that year’s funding law.

    A full copy of the H.R. 4230 the Appropriations Compliance and Training Act can be found by clicking here.

    # # #

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: USGS Coastal Storm Monitoring Data Informs Department of Defense Infrastructure Risk Assessments

    Source: US Geological Survey

    The Coastal Storm Modeling System (CoSMoS) makes detailed predictions of storm-induced coastal flooding, erosion, and cliff failures over large geographic scales. CoSMoS was developed for hindcast studies, operational applications and future climate scenarios to provide emergency responders and coastal planners with critical storm-hazards information that can be used to increase public safety…

    Learn More

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Travel Advisory: RIDOT Closing Two Bridges in Foster for Reconstruction Starting July 11

    Source: US State of Rhode Island

    Starting, Friday night, July 11 the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) will begin work on the first of two bridges along rural roads in Foster. Both bridges will be closed for approximately 90 days while they are demolished and replaced.

    The bridges carry a very low volume of cars, less than 100 vehicles per day, and serve to access a limited number of residential properties.

    The first closure on July 11 affects the Rams Tail Road Bridge, which carries Rams Tail Road over Ponaganset Brook, between Route 6 (Danielson Pike) and Central Pike. The bridge was built in 1955 and is one rating point away from being classified as structurally deficient. During its closure, drivers will follow a detour using Route 102 (Chopmist Hill Road).

    The second closure begins Friday night, July 18 and affects the Mill Road Bridge, which carries Mill Road over Hemlock Brook, between Route 102 (Foster Center Road) and Wright Lane. The bridge was built in 1950 and is classified as structurally deficient. During its closure, motorists can detour using Route 102, Kate Randall Road and Central Pike.

    For both locations, local traffic will be permitted on either side of the closed bridges.

    RIDOT is using accelerated bridge construction methods to replace these structures as quickly as possible. The $13.4 million project also includes work to replace the Moosup Valley Road Bridge in Foster. RIDOT began work on that bridge last October and this August will shift traffic to finish replacing it. The temporary traffic signal controlling the single-lane alternating traffic pattern will remain in place until the Moosup Valley Road Bridge is finished by next summer.

    All construction projects are subject to changes in schedule and scope depending on needs, circumstances, findings and weather.

    The replacement of these bridges in Foster is made possible by RhodeWorks. RIDOT is committed to bringing Rhode Island’s infrastructure into a state of good repair while respecting the environment and striving to improve it. Learn more at www.ridot.net/RhodeWorks.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Detroit Man Pleads Guilty to Fentanyl Crimes

    Source: US FBI

    CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Rafael Cee-Erwin Solomon, also known as “Rip,” 43, of Detroit, Michigan, pleaded guilty today to three counts of distribution of fentanyl.

    According to court documents and statements made in court, Solomon sold a quantity of fentanyl in Dunbar on March 10, 2025, and quantities of fentanyl in St. Albans on March 24, 2025, and March 27, 2025.

    Solomon has a criminal history that includes a prior conviction for conspiracy to distribute 28 grams or more of cocaine base, also known as “crack,” in United States District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia on December 10, 2012. He also has prior convictions for assault and battery-domestic violence, malicious destruction of property, arson, and felonious assault.

    Today’s guilty pleas result from an investigation that also led to the indictment of 13 other individuals on charges alleging they participated in the distribution of fentanyl and methamphetamine in the Charleston area between June 2024 and May 2025. An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

    Solomon is scheduled to be sentenced on October 9, 2025, and faces a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison, at least six years of supervised release, and a $2 million fine.

    Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

    United States District Judge Joseph R. Goodwin presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Jeremy B. Wolfe is prosecuting the case.

    The investigation was part of the Department of Justice’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF). The program was established in 1982 to conduct comprehensive, multilevel attacks on major drug trafficking and money laundering organizations and is the keystone of the Department of Justice’s drug reduction strategy. OCDETF combines the resources and expertise of its member federal agencies in cooperation with state and local law enforcement. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking organizations, transnational criminal organizations and money laundering organizations that present a significant threat to the public safety, economic, or national security of the United States.

    This case is also part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) and Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN).

    A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:25-cr-77.

    ###

     

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: Unlock 100x Leverage Crypto Futures Trading – No KYC, Double Deposit Bonus and $50 Welcome Bonus for All on BexBack

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SINGAPORE, July 01, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — BexBack Exchange is offering an exciting new promotion: a 100% deposit bonus, a $50 welcome bonus for new users, and 100x leverage on cryptocurrency futures trading – all with no KYC required! This is your chance to maximize potential returns in a high-volatility market.

    What Is 100x Leverage and How Does It Work?

    Simply put, 100x leverage allows you to open larger trading positions with less capital. For example:

    Suppose the Bitcoin price is $100,000 that day, and you open a long contract with 1 BTC. After using 100x leverage, the transaction amount is equivalent to 100 BTC.

    One day later, if the price rises to $105,000, your profit will be (105,000 – 100,000) * 100 BTC / 100,000 = 5 BTC, a yield of up to 500%.

    With BexBack’s deposit bonus

    BexBack offers a 100% deposit bonus. If the initial investment is 2 BTC, the profit will increase to 10 BTC, and the return on investment will double to 1000%.

    Note: Although leveraged trading can magnify profits, you also need to be wary of liquidation risks.

    How Does the 100% Deposit Bonus Work?
    The deposit bonus from BexBack cannot be directly withdrawn but can be used to open larger positions and increase potential profits. Additionally, during significant market fluctuations, the bonus can serve as extra margin, effectively reducing the risk of liquidation.

    About BexBack?

    BexBack is a top-tier cryptocurrency derivatives platform offering up to 100x leverage on BTC, ETH, ADA, SOL, XRP, and over 50 other futures contracts. Headquartered in Singapore, with additional offices in Hong Kong, Japan, the United States, the UK, and Argentina, BexBack is licensed as a US MSB (Money Services Business). Trusted by more than 500,000 traders globally, the platform welcomes users from the US, Canada, and Europe. BexBack offers zero deposit fees and provides comprehensive customer service available 24/7 to ensure an exceptional trading experience.

    Why recommend BexBack?

    No KYC Required: Start trading immediately without complex identity verification.

    100% Deposit Bonus: Double your funds, double your profits.

    High-Leverage Trading: Offers up to 100x leverage, maximizing investors’ capital efficiency.

    Demo Account: Comes with 10 BTC and 1M USDT in virtual funds, ideal for beginners to practice risk-free trading.

    Comprehensive Trading Options: Feature-rich trading available via Web and mobile applications.

    Convenient Operation: No slippage, no spread, and fast, precise trade execution.

    Global User Support: Enjoy 24/7 customer service, no matter where you are.

    Lucrative Affiliate Rewards: Earn up to 50% commission, perfect for promoters.

    Take Action Now—Don’t Miss Another Opportunity!

    If you missed the previous crypto bull run, this could be your chance. With BexBack’s 100x leverage and 100% deposit bonus and $50 bonus for new users (Deposit greater than 0.001BTC or 100 USDT, complete one trade within one week of registration), you can be a winner in the new bull run.

    Sign up on BexBack now, claim your exclusive bonus and start accumulating more BTC today!

    Website: www.bexback.com

    Contact: business@bexback.com

    Contact:
    Amanda
    business@bexback.com

    Disclaimer: This content is provided by BexBack. The statements, views, and opinions expressed in this content are solely those of the content provider and do not necessarily reflect the views of this media platform or its publisher. We do not endorse, verify, or guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information presented. We do not guarantee any claims, statements, or promises made in this article. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, investment, or trading advice. Investing in crypto and mining-related opportunities involves significant risks, including the potential loss of capital. It is possible to lose all your capital. These products may not be suitable for everyone, and you should ensure that you understand the risks involved. Seek independent advice if necessary. Speculate only with funds that you can afford to lose. Readers are strongly encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions. However, due to the inherently speculative nature of the blockchain sector—including cryptocurrency, NFTs, and mining—complete accuracy cannot always be guaranteed. Neither the media platform nor the publisher shall be held responsible for any fraudulent activities, misrepresentations, or financial losses arising from the content of this press release. In the event of any legal claims or charges against this article, we accept no liability or responsibility. Globenewswire does not endorse any content on this page.

    Legal Disclaimer: This media platform provides the content of this article on an “as-is” basis, without any warranties or representations of any kind, express or implied. We assume no responsibility for any inaccuracies, errors, or omissions. We do not assume any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information presented herein. Any concerns, complaints, or copyright issues related to this article should be directed to the content provider mentioned above.

    Photos accompanying this announcement are available at:

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/2d03f49f-d7b3-401a-9988-053590cfda63

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/daf8914e-2079-4717-8d36-efa1a566697a

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/2eb23df0-ddbf-4ac4-a662-c5d31021ecee

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/a25922c5-f7e3-44f2-8c54-7532303d83c4

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Kehoe Announces Over 200 Communities Earned Missouri Blue Shield Designation for Commitment to Effective Law Enforcement and Community Safety

    Source: US State of Missouri

    JULY 1, 2025

    Jefferson City — Today, Governor Mike Kehoe announced that 201 Missouri counties, cities, and towns have received the Missouri Blue Shield designation in recognition of their dedication to enhancing public safety, strengthening support for law enforcement, and building sustainable public safety partnerships. The Blue Shield Program, as outlined in Executive Order 25-03, is part of the Governor’s Safer Missouriinitiative announced on his first day in office.

    Following the Governor’s approval of Fiscal Year 2026 budget funding yesterday, the Blue Shield communities are now able to tap into a $10 million dollar fund for grants for law enforcement training, equipment, and technology.

    “I’ve said from day one that improving public safety is the top priority of our administration and the response of communities, large and small, across our state shows that Missourians want to have safer streets and support law enforcement,” Governor Kehoe said. “Now, all 201 of the Blue Shield communities will be able to apply for funding through the Missouri Department of Public Safety to further bolster public safety through grants for training, equipment, and technology.”

    A total of 60 counties, 137 cities and four towns were approved as Blue Shield communities after applying by June 1 to the Department of Public Safety. A map of Blue Shield communities and the full list of approved jurisdictions is available here.

    The Missouri Department of Public Safety (DPS) is administering the Blue Shield Program and opened grant applications today, the beginning of State Fiscal Year 2026. Communities may spend grant funds for any combination of training, equipment, or technology for their law enforcement agencies to strengthen public safety. Eligible expenditures include ballistic vests, body-worn cameras, security and surveillance systems, gunshot detection technology, and crime analytics software. The $10 million will be split equally among approved Blue Shield applicants.

    “We knew going into this that there was overwhelming support for law enforcement among Missourians and high interest in building stronger alliances between law enforcement and the communities they serve, but the response to the Blue Shield Program has been even stronger than we anticipated,” Missouri Department of Public Safety Director Mark James said. “We are looking forward to receiving funding proposals from the 201 communities and our DPS team will be processing grant applications quickly.”

    Blue Shield counties, cities, and towns must maintain their commitments each year to retain the Blue Shield designation via annual reporting about their ongoing efforts to support public safety to DPS. There will be another opportunity for other communities to apply for the Blue Shield designation and take advantage of future grants in 2026.

    Among the Blue Shield designation eligibility criteria were:

    • Passage of a resolution demonstrating a commitment to public safety, including to reduce violent crime within the jurisdiction;
    • Extraordinary investments in public safety funding;
    • Community policing initiatives or local partnerships to invest in and/or improve public safety;
    • Law enforcement officer recruitment and retention program;
    • Demonstrated effectiveness in reducing crime or innovative programs that attempt to reduce crime;
    • Participates in regional anti-crime task forces, or a commitment to be a willing partner with these in the future; and
    • Compliance with Missouri crime reporting and traffic stop data requirements and other related statutes.
       
    • Blue Shield Year One.png

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Founder and Former CEO of Artificial Intelligence Start-Up SKAEL Pleads Guilty to Securities Fraud and Wire Fraud

    Source: US FBI

    SAN FRANCISCO – Baba Nadimpalli, the founder and former Chief Executive Officer of SKAEL, Inc. (SKAEL), pleaded guilty in federal court yesterday to one count of securities fraud and one count of wire fraud in connection with a scheme to defraud investors by misleading them about the company’s revenue, annual recurring revenue (ARR), and other financial and sales information.  

    Nadimpalli, 42, a citizen of Australia who previously resided in San Francisco, was indicted by a federal grand jury on Jan. 17, 2024.  According to his plea agreement, Nadimpalli founded SKAEL in 2016 and served as its Chief Executive Officer from 2016 until July 2022.  SKAEL was a San Francisco-based, software-as-a-service company that provided corporate clients with artificial intelligence and automation software to assist with mundane, time-intensive tasks by building “Digital Employees.”  SKAEL earned revenue by charging implementation fees for the building of Digital Employees and subscription fees for their use once built.  

    From January 2020 until about February 2022, SKAEL raised over $40 million in three rounds of financing. In order to induce prospective and existing investors to invest, Nadimpalli provided false information regarding SKAEL’s customer and sales information, revenue, and ARR.  Nadimpalli knew that ARR, which reflected the company’s monthly subscription revenue times 12, was an important metric for investors in considering their investments in SKAEL.  In or around 2021, Nadimpalli provided materially false information to investors in advance of their investments in SKAEL, including representing that SKAEL was receiving ARR from certain companies that did not subscribe to its software and services; overstating ARR from certain customers who were SKAEL customers; and representing that customers who had terminated their subscriptions were current customers with ARR.

    In or around February 2022, SKAEL raised approximately $30 million in a Series A preferred stock offering that valued SKAEL at approximately $230 million after closing.  In connection with the stock offering, Nadimpalli directed the creation of an electronic data room for potential investors that contained (1) a spreadsheet that Nadimpalli maintained that contained materially false information about the company’s ARR and customers; (2) materially false financial statements; and (3) an investor presentation that contained materially false information about the company’s ARR, revenue, and customer adoption.

    Nadimpalli further admitted to providing an investor and a financial employee with false bank account information that included purported customer payments that had not actually been deposited.

    United States Attorney Craig H. Missakian and FBI Special Agent in Charge Sanjay Virmani made the announcement.

    Nadimpalli is scheduled to be sentenced by Senior U.S. District Judge Charles R. Breyer on Sept. 17, 2025.  He faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $5 million fine for the count of securities fraud in violation of 15 U.S.C. §§ 78j(b) & 78ff and 17 C.F.R. § 240.10b-5, and 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for the count of wire fraud in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1343.  Any sentence will be imposed by the court after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence, 18 U.S.C. § 3553.

    Assistant U.S. Attorneys Noah Stern and Ilham Hosseini are prosecuting this case with the assistance of Mark DiCenzo and Lynette Dixon. The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the FBI.  The U.S. Attorney’s Office and the FBI thank the San Francisco Regional Office of the Securities and Exchange Commission, which also filed a civil enforcement action against Nadimpalli in the Northern District of California.
     

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Ninth and Tenth FCI Dublin Correctional Officers Charged with Sexual Abuse of Female Inmates

    Source: US FBI

    OAKLAND – Two former correctional officers at the Federal Correctional Institution in Dublin, Calif., Jeffrey Wilson and Lawrence Gacad, were charged yesterday by information with sexual abuse of female inmates.  Wilson and Gacad are the ninth and tenth correctional officers to be charged in connection with the wide-ranging investigation into sexual abuse of inmates at the federal prison.  

    Wilson, 34, is charged with five counts of sexual abuse of a ward related to his alleged abuse of an FCI Dublin inmate, C.S.  The information alleges that Wilson engaged in sexual abuse of the victim on multiple occasions between March 14, 2022, and Aug. 16, 2022.  The acts allegedly occurred in a medical room at FCI Dublin.  Wilson is also charged with falsely telling federal agents that he had never had sexual contact with C.S. and that he had never given her contraband while she was an inmate at FCI Dublin.

    Gacad, 33, is charged with one count of abusive sexual contact related to his alleged abuse of an FCI Dublin inmate, S.L., between March 1, 2022, and June 14, 2022.

    United States Attorney Craig H. Missakian, Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General (DOJ OIG) Acting Special Agent in Charge Jeremy Hunt, and FBI Special Agent in Charge Sanjay Virmani made the announcement.      

    As part of the Department of Justice’s ongoing investigation into FCI Dublin, 10 FCI Dublin correctional officers have been charged with crimes related to the sexual abuse of the female prisoners at the facility.  The status of these cases is below:

    Defendant

    		 Case Number Status
    Warden Ray J. Garcia 4:21-cr-00429-YGR Convicted on all counts by jury on Dec. 8, 2022; sentenced to 70 months in prison
    CO John Bellhouse 4:22-cr-00066-YGR Convicted on all counts by jury on June 5, 2023; sentenced to 63 months in prison
    Chaplain James Highhouse 4:22-cr-00016-HSG Pleaded guilty on Feb. 24, 2022; sentenced to 84 months in prison
    CO Enrique Chavez 4:22-cr-00104-YGR Pleaded guilty on Oct. 27, 2022; sentenced to 20 months in prison
    CO Ross Klinger 4:22-cr-00031-YGR Pleaded guilty on Feb. 10, 2022; sentenced to one year of home confinement
    CO Andrew Jones 4:23-cr-000212-YGR Pleaded guilty on Aug.17, 2023; sentenced to 96 months in prison
    CO Nakie Nunley 4:23-cr-000213-YGR Pleaded guilty on Sept. 5, 2023; sentenced to 72 months in prison
    CO Darrell Smith (a/k/a “Dirty Dick Smith”) 4:23-cr-00110-YGR Indicted on April 13, 2023; trial scheduled for Sept. 2, 2025
    CO Jeffrey Wilson 4:25-cr-00180 Information filed on June 25, 2025
    CO Lawrence Gacad 4:25-cr-00181 Information filed on June 25, 2025

    An information merely alleges that crimes have been committed, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.  If convicted, Wilson faces a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison and a fine of $250,000 for each count of sexual abuse of a ward in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2243(b) and eight years in prison and a $250,000 fine for the count of false statements to a government agency in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1001(a)(2).  Gacad faces a maximum sentence of two years in prison and a $250,000 fine for the count of abusive sexual contact in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2244(a)(4).  Any sentence following conviction would be imposed by the court after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence, 18 U.S.C. § 3553.

    Assistant U.S. Attorneys Andrew Paulson, Alethea Sargent, Sailaja Paidipaty, and Molly Priedeman are prosecuting these cases with the assistance of Veronica Hernandez and Amala James.  The prosecutions are the result of an investigation by the DOJ OIG and the FBI.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: Global Neuro-Psychiatric Disorders & Treatment Market Projected to Reach $166 Billion by 2032

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    PALM BEACH, Fla., July 01, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — FN Media Group News Commentary – Worldwide, there is a rising demand for neuropsychiatric disorder treatments which is expected to fuel the global markets for years to come. With expanding research and development efforts and a robust pipeline of novel medications, the neuropsychiatric disorders treatment landscape is evolving rapidly. Pharmaceutical companies are focusing on innovative drug therapies to meet the growing need for effective and affordable treatments. The market is primarily driven by the high incidence of mental illnesses, including depression and anxiety, and the rising awareness of these conditions. As a result, new treatment options are being developed, and drug-related activities such as clinical trials and drug approvals are intensifying. Recently an article on the 4th European Congress of Neurology and Neuropsychiatry website said that: “The global neuropsychiatric disorders and treatment market is on an upward trajectory, with a significant increase in demand for innovative solutions that cater to the growing burden of mental health conditions. In 2024, the market was valued at USD 130.5 billion, and by 2032, it is projected to reach USD 166.3 billion, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.20% from 2023 to 2032. This growth is fueled by continuous research, advancements in treatment, and heightened awareness of neuropsychiatric disorders.”   Active Companies active today in markets include: Cybin Inc. (NYSE: CYBN) (NEO: CYBN), COMPASS Pathways plc (NASDAQ: CMPS), Sage Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: SAGE), Mind Medicine (MindMed) Inc. (NASDAQ: MNMD) (NEO: MMED), atai Life Sciences (NASDAQ: ATAI).

    The article continued: “The growing global burden of neuropsychiatric disorders is a critical driver for the treatment market. With over 9.1 million annual deaths attributed to neurological diseases and an additional 8 million caused by neuropsychiatric conditions, this category represents a substantial public health challenge. These disorders contribute significantly to disability globally, with an estimated 461 million disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) lost each year. Moreover, rising awareness through public education, media coverage, and advocacy organizations is encouraging more individuals to seek early diagnosis and treatment, ultimately improving outcomes for patients. Social media and celebrity-led campaigns have also played a pivotal role in removing the stigma surrounding mental health, further boosting the demand for treatments. Drug treatments continue to be the fastest-growing segment in the neuropsychiatric disorders market, driven by ongoing advancements in pharmacology. New medications are being developed with fewer side effects and increased efficacy in managing conditions like depression, schizophrenia, and Alzheimer’s disease.”

    Cybin Inc. (NYSE AMERICAN: CYBN) (Cboe Canada: CYBN) Announces Financing of up to US$500 Million Aggregate Principal Amount of Convertible Debentures – Funding agreement contemplates a conversion formula with a potential 30% premium upon conversion and positions the Company for growth, and accelerated advancement of its clinical pipeline programs, CYB003 and CYB004 –   Cybin Inc. (“Cybin” or the “Company”), a clinical-stage breakthrough neuropsychiatry company committed to revolutionizing mental healthcare by developing new and innovative next-generation treatment options, is pleased to announce the Company has entered into a securities purchase agreement (the “Securities Purchase Agreement”) with High Trail Special Situations LLC (“High Trail”), pursuant to which the Company agreed to sell and issue to High Trail up to US$500,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of unsecured convertible debentures (the “Convertible Debentures”). The sale and issue of US$50,000,000 principal amount of Convertible Debentures was completed on June 30, 2025 (the “Private Placement”). The sale and issue of US$450,000,000 of the principal amount of Convertible Debentures will be determined at a future date, upon mutual agreement of the parties.

    “This financing represents a major inflection point for Cybin and supports our position as a leader within our sector,” said Doug Drysdale, Chief Executive Officer of Cybin. “High Trail Capital is an experienced investor, and its confidence and appreciation of our breakthrough clinical data and intellectual property portfolio recognize the potential of the Company. This financing comes at an opportune time for Cybin, as we advance our lead programs, CYB003 and CYB004, in Phase 3 and Phase 2, respectively. CYB003 demonstrated over 70% remission rates and continued durability over 12 months for patients with uncontrolled depression. We await the conclusion of our CYB004 Phase 2 proof-of-concept study, in patients with generalized anxiety disorder,” said Drysdale.

    Joseph Gunnar & Co., LLC acted as the sole placement agent in connection with this transaction.

    Pipeline Acceleration Drives Multiple Value Creation Catalysts

    The funding will accelerate Cybin’s clinical-stage programs across multiple high-value indications:

    CYB003 Program Achievements:

    • Breakthrough Clinical Results: Unprecedented 71% remission rate in major depressive disorder at 12 months after two 16 mg doses in Phase 2 study
    • Durability advantage: 12-month sustained efficacy demonstrating long-term therapeutic benefit
    • FDA Recognition: Breakthrough Therapy Designation received, expediting regulatory pathway
    • Multinational Phase 3 PARADIGM program underway

    CYB004 Program Momentum:

    • Dual Indication Strategy: Expanding addressable market opportunity
    • Phase 2 GAD study expected to complete around mid-year 2025 1

    Commercialization Infrastructure:

    • Manufacturing Scale-Up: Finalizing production capabilities for market launch
    • IP Portfolio Expansion: Strengthening competitive moat with more than 90 patents issued and over 230 applications pending
    • Strategic Partnerships: Developing market access and pre-commercialization alliances

    Value Catalysts Drive Sustained Momentum

    Near-Term Catalysts:

    • CYB004 Phase 2 GAD study expected to complete around mid-2025 1
    • Initiation of second CYB003 pivotal study, EMBRACE, around mid-2025 1
    • EXTEND study initiation imminent 1

    Medium-Term Catalysts (2025-2026):

    • Phase 3 top line readout for CYB003 2H 2026 1
    • Regulatory submission preparations
    • Commercial manufacturing readiness
    • International market expansion planning

    CONTINUED… Read the Transaction Terms and full Press Release for Cybin at: https://www.financialnewsmedia.com/news-cybn/      NOTES: 1.There is no assurance that timelines will be met. Anticipated timelines regarding the initiation, advancement and results of clinical trials are based on reasonable assumptions informed by current knowledge and information available to the Company. See “Cautionary Notes and Forward-Looking Statements in the Full Press Release”.

    In other active company biotech news in the markets:

    atai Life Sciences (NASDAQ: ATAI), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company on a mission to develop highly effective mental health treatments to transform patient outcomes, and Beckley Psytech Limited (“Beckley”), a private clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company pioneering the next generation of mental health treatments, recently announced a definitive agreement under which atai and Beckley plan to combine in an all-share transaction subject to pre-agreed BPL-003 (mebufotenin benzoate) Phase 2b success criteria.

    “The strategic combination marks a transformational moment, solidifying us as a leader in rapid-acting and accessible psychedelic treatments for mental health conditions with a pipeline of potential first-in-class and best-in-class assets,” stated Srinivas Rao, M.D., Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of atai. “With a unified vision and a synergistic pipeline, we believe we are well-positioned to unlock the strategic value of our clinical development programs for both patients and shareholders. Together, we plan to move confidently towards our goal of bringing innovative interventional psychiatry therapies to patients in need of new treatments.”

    Mind Medicine (MindMed) Inc. (NASDAQ: MNMD), a late-stage clinical biopharmaceutical company developing novel product candidates to treat brain health disorders, recently announced the issuance of inducement grants to four newly hired non-executive employees consisting of options to purchase an aggregate of 128,750 common shares of the Company (the “Options”), with effective grant dates of June 2, 2025 and June 9, 2025, depending on the applicable employee’s respective start date. The Options have an exercise price equal to the closing price of MindMed’s common shares on the last trading day on which MindMed’s common shares traded prior to the date of the respective grant, and will vest over a four-year period with 25% vesting on the first anniversary of the date of the grant and the remaining 75% vesting in substantially equal monthly increments over the three-year period thereafter, subject to each employee’s continued employment.

    Supernus Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (SUPN) and Sage Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: SAGE) recently announced a definitive agreement for Supernus to acquire Sage through a tender offer for $8.50 per share in cash (or an aggregate of approximately $561 million), payable at closing, plus one non-tradable contingent value right (CVR) collectively worth up to $3.50 per share in cash (or an aggregate of approximately $234 million), for total consideration of $12.00 per share in cash (or an aggregate of up to approximately $795 million). The CVR is payable upon achieving certain net sales and commercial milestones. The transaction is expected to close in the third quarter of 2025.

    The transaction will provide Supernus with an innovative marketed product: ZURZUVAE® (zuranolone) capsules CIV, the first and only U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved oral medicine indicated for the treatment of adults with postpartum depression. Through a collaboration agreement with Biogen, Inc., Supernus will report collaboration revenue that is 50% of total net revenue Biogen records for ZURZUVAE in the U.S.

    Compass Pathways plc (NASDAQ: CMPS), a biotechnology company dedicated to accelerating patient access to evidence-based innovation, recently announced the successful achievement of the primary endpoint in the ongoing Phase 3 COMP005 trial, the first of two Phase 3 trials evaluating COMP360, a synthetic, proprietary formulation of psilocybin, for treatment-resistant depression (TRD). The primary endpoint is the difference in change from baseline in the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) scores between the active treatment group and the placebo group at week 6. A single dose of COMP360 25 mg versus placebo demonstrated a highly statistically significant reduction in symptom severity with a p-value of <0.001 and a clinically meaningful difference of -3.6 in change at the primary endpoint. The Company plans to discuss these preliminary COMP005 data with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which has not yet reviewed the data.

    The ongoing Phase 3 COMP005 trial is the first study of an investigational, synthetic psilocybin, and the first classic psychedelic to report Phase 3 efficacy data. This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, which dosed 258 participants with TRD across 32 sites in the United States, aims to assess the efficacy and safety of a single dose of COMP360 25 mg versus placebo for reducing symptom severity in TRD.

    About FN Media Group:

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    DISCLAIMER: FN Media Group LLC (FNM), which owns and operates Financialnewsmedia.com and MarketNewsUpdates.com, is a third-party publisher and news dissemination service provider, which disseminates electronic information through multiple online media channels. FNM is NOT affiliated in any manner with any company mentioned herein. FNM and its affiliated companies are a news dissemination solutions provider and are NOT a registered broker/dealer/analyst/adviser, holds no investment licenses and may NOT sell, offer to sell or offer to buy any security. FNM’s market updates, news alerts and corporate profiles are NOT a solicitation or recommendation to buy, sell or hold securities. The material in this release is intended to be strictly informational and is NEVER to be construed or interpreted as research material. All readers are strongly urged to perform research and due diligence on their own and consult a licensed financial professional before considering any level of investing in stocks. All material included herein is republished content and details which were previously disseminated by the companies mentioned in this release. FNM is not liable for any investment decisions by its readers or subscribers. Investors are cautioned that they may lose all or a portion of their investment when investing in stocks. For current services performed FNM was compensated forty two hundred dollars for news coverage of current press release issued by Cybin Inc. by the Company. FNM HOLDS NO SHARES OF ANY COMPANY NAMED IN THIS RELEASE.

    This release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and such forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. “Forward-looking statements” describe future expectations, plans, results, or strategies and are generally preceded by words such as “may”, “future”, “plan” or “planned”, “will” or “should”, “expected,” “anticipates”, “draft”, “eventually” or “projected”. You are cautioned that such statements are subject to a multitude of risks and uncertainties that could cause future circumstances, events, or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements, including the risks that actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, and other risks identified in a company’s annual report on Form 10-K or 10-KSB and other filings made by such company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You should consider these factors in evaluating the forward-looking statements included herein, and not place undue reliance on such statements. The forward-looking statements in this release are made as of the date hereof and FNM undertakes no obligation to update such statements.

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    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senate Republicans Block Duckworth Effort to Protect Veterans and Other Americans from Going Hungry as a Result of Trump’s Big, Beautiful Betrayal

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Illinois Tammy Duckworth

    June 30, 2025

    [WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today sought to protect Veterans and many other Americans from going hungry because of cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) included in Trump’s so-called “Big, Beautiful Bill” (BBB) that Senate Republicans are rushing to jam through tonight. Duckworth’s effort would have instructed the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee to change the BBB to ensure it would not reduce or terminate SNAP benefits for Veterans, homeless individuals, former foster youth 24 years of age or younger or for parents with children under 18 years of age, but her proposal was blocked by Senate Republicans on a vote of 49-51.

    “Back when I was in high school, my family struggled. We had no money and some days no food, teetering on the brink of homelessness, never sure what tomorrow would bring. I was only elected Senator… I was only able to become an Army pilot… I probably only was able to finish high school because of basic needs programs like SNAP.

    “Donald Trump and Senate Republicans are trying to snatch away these critical safety net programs like health care and SNAP from countless families—including Veterans, homeless people, former foster youth and many other Americans seemingly for no other reason than cruelty for cruelty’s sake—and to give a tax cut to Donald Trump and his billionaire buddies. I’m pissed off that they would look me in the eye on the Senate Floor and then block this critical proposal to help protect so many Americans from going hungry. It’s shameful.”

    In Fiscal Year 2023, an average of 42.2 million individuals—and about 1 in 5 children—in 22.3 million households participated in SNAP each month. Monthly benefits are already insufficient, and averaged only $211.65 per person and $400.15 per household.

    Under current SNAP rules, most adults aged 18 through 54 without children in their household can receive food benefits for just three months in a three-year period unless they show compliance with a 20-hour-per-week work requirement or prove they qualify for an exemption, such as having a disability—though Veterans, homeless individuals and former foster youth 24 years of age or younger have been exempt from those requirements.

    The Senate bill eliminates these exemptions, terminating SNAP benefits for nearly 300,000 people in these populations. In addition, the SNAP program has long exempted parents from work requirements, but the Senate bill eliminates these exemptions for parents with kids over the age of 13.

    Despite those exemptions continuing under even the House-passed BBB, Senate Republicans are seeking to remove them and limit SNAP benefits to these currently-protected populations. The Senate Republican bill would terminate SNAP benefits for at least 2.87 million people—including 1.2 million Veterans—and reduce benefits for tens of millions more.

    -30-

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI: As Vote-A-Rama On Republican Budget Betrayal Hits 24 Hours, Luján Standing Strong for New Mexicans

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-New Mexico)

    WATCH: Luján Holds Senate Floor During Midnight Session 

    WATCH: Luján Introduces Amendment to Save SNAP

    Washington, D.C. – As the Senate vote-a-rama on the Republican Budget Betrayal hits 24 hours, U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) has been on the Senate floor throughout the night fighting for New Mexicans.

    KEY MOMENTS:

    24 Hour Mark of the Vote-A-Rama: Good morning from the Senate steps. We’ve been voting on amendments for nearly 24 hours straight. Senate Republicans still haven’t called a final vote on their budget betrayal because they don’t have the votes. @SenateDems aren’t backing down. No matter how long this takes.

    Standing Up for New Mexicans in the Dark of Night: It’s almost midnight in Washington and we’re still voting on GOP budget amendments. Senate Republicans are flying completely blind — still scrambling to finalize a bill they’ve been rewriting all day (and for months) to meet President Trump’s demands. This process is messy, but this bill is going to be even messier.

    Standing Up Against the Republican Budget Betrayal With Senator Smith: We’re fighting back against this Republican budget betrayal because it’s downright terrible — and devastating for families in New Mexico, Minnesota, and across the country.

    Leading Charge to Save SNAP: Senator Luján delivered a speech on the Senate floor offering an amendment to the Republican budget bill to save the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) – to protect food assistance for kids, seniors, and veterans. All but two Republicans voted to keep these devastating cuts in the bill.

    Highlighting Impacts of Republican Betrayal Bill on New Mexicans: Senator Luján took to the Senate floor to deliver a floor speech detailing how the Republican budget bill would devastate New Mexico’s families, farmers and ranchers, and children and seniors.

    LOCAL COVERAGE:

    Source NM: New Mexico Democratic Sen. Ben Ray Luján offered a motion to commit the bill back to committee in order to remove all changes related to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP. It was rejected following a 49-51 vote, though Alaska Republican Sens. Dan Sullivan and Murkowski voted in favor.

    KSFR: According to Lujan, the bill’s cuts to the Affordable Care Act would take health care away from 17 million Americans. New Mexico’s junior senator argued that the bill would also force rural hospitals and grocery stores to close…and said that it would add three trillion dollars to the national debt.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Attorney General James Sues Trump Administration for Slashing Youth Mental Health Funding

    Source: US State of New York

    EW YORK – New York Attorney General Letitia James and 15 other attorneys general sued the U.S. Department of Education (ED) and Secretary of Education Linda McMahon for unlawfully terminating more than $1 billion in bipartisan federal funding for school-based mental health services. Attorney General James and the coalition are challenging ED’s abrupt decision to discontinue funding for two mental health grant programs – the Mental Health Service Professional Demonstration Grant Program (MHSP) and the School-Based Mental Health Services Grant Program (SBMH) – which Congress created in response to the worsening youth mental health crisis and a series of tragic school shootings, including in Parkland, Florida and Uvalde, Texas. The attorneys general argue that ED’s terminations are unconstitutional and ideologically driven, and are urging the court to reinstate the funding and protect the critical youth mental health infrastructure schools have built under these programs.

    “By cutting funding for these lifesaving youth mental health programs, the Department of Education is abandoning our children when they need us most,” said Attorney General James. “These grants have helped thousands of students access critical mental health services at a time when young people are facing record levels of depression, trauma, and anxiety. To eliminate these grants now would be a grave disservice to children and families in New York and nationwide, and my office is fighting back to preserve these much-needed programs.”

    “SUNY is grateful to Attorney General James for protecting New Yorkers, including critical resources for mental health support,” said SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr. “At a time when school-based mental health services are more important than ever, SUNY is proud that our campuses play a vital role in training mental health providers and we will vigorously defend this important work.”

    In 2018, following the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Congress established and funded MHSP to address a shortage of mental health professionals in high-need public schools. Two years later, Congress expanded these efforts with SBMH, which provided funding to help schools hire, train, and retain school-based mental health staff. In the wake of the devastating 2022 shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Congress dramatically increased funding for both programs, appropriating more than $100 million annually to each program through 2026 and requiring ED to submit detailed spending plans and biweekly updates. Each program was designed as a five-year initiative, with the goal of placing 14,000 new mental health professionals in schools, particularly those in low-income and rural areas.

    In the lawsuit, the attorneys general highlight the broad, bipartisan support behind these programs. As Republican Texas Senator John Cornyn noted, Congress “crafted this landmark law with a simple purpose: to reduce violence and save lives.” He explained that the law contains “commonsense measures to improve how our schools address mental health,” noting that “too often, adolescents with untreated mental health conditions become the very same perpetrators who commit acts of violence.”

    Attorney General James and the coalition emphasize that these programs have already demonstrated measurable success. In the first year alone, nearly 775,000 students received mental or behavioral health services. More than 1,200 school-based mental health professionals were hired and 95 percent retained. Student wait times dropped by 80 percent. Grantees reported a 50 percent reduction in suicide risk at high-need schools, lower absenteeism and behavioral incidents, and stronger student-staff relationships.

    Despite these successes, on April 29, 2025, the administration abruptly notified dozens of grantees that their funding would be discontinued, claiming that these program were no longer aligned with “current administration priorities.” The boilerplate notices included vague justifications with no specific findings or performance issues. In statements to Congress and the media, ED acknowledged that it targeted grants for discontinuation based on the programs’ diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) goals, despite the fact that such efforts were required under longstanding federal law and were part of the announced criteria used to evaluate and award the grants. 

    As a result of the administration’s decision to discontinue mental health funding, Attorney General James and the coalition assert that, starting this fall, public schools nationwide will no longer reliably be able to offer critical mental health services. The attorneys general argue that if allowed to move forward, these terminations will force the layoffs of hundreds of school-based mental health professionals, abruptly end services for thousands of vulnerable students, dismantle graduate training pipelines that were helping to address nationwide shortages, and destroy projects that have been years in the making.

    New York stands to lose at least $19 million in previously approved funding as a result of these cuts, including over $7.6 million for the State University of New York (SUNY) system. Unless the terminations are reversed, SUNY Binghamton will be forced to pull mental health professionals from schools serving more than 9,000 rural students, laying off 10 full-time staff and several part-time employees and graduate assistants. SUNY Buffalo would be forced to end a fellowship program training school social workers to serve students in Western New York, jeopardizing care for an estimated 3,000 students. Several New York school districts and private institutions have also had their funding discontinued, jeopardizing mental health services for students in the Bronx, Queens, Brooklyn, Long Island, Hudson Valley, Finger Lakes, Mohawk Valley, Central New York, and other communities throughout the state.

    Attorney General James and the coalition argue that the cancellation of this funding is both unlawful and unconstitutional, as it undermines Congress’ authority and equity directive and violates the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) because of the lack of notice. The attorneys general also contend that the administration breached the grant agreements and violated federal regulations that govern the continuation of grant awards. Under these regulations, once a multiyear grant is awarded, the decision to continue funding must be based on the grantee’s performance. In this case, ED failed to offer any evidence that the grantees failed to meet performance standards and instead applied an ideological litmus test after the fact, leaving schools and students to suffer the consequences.

    The attorneys general are asking the court to declare these grant terminations unlawful, reinstate the funding for the full intended term of the awards, and prevent ED from imposing similar ideological conditions moving forward.

    Joining Attorney General James in this lawsuit are the attorneys general of California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon, Rhode Island, Washington, and Wisconsin.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Attorney General Bonta Sues Trump Administration over Unlawful Discontinuation of School Mental Health Grant Funding

    Source: US State of California

    $200 million of funding intended to support the mental health and well-being of California students is at risk

    OAKLAND – California Attorney General Rob Bonta today announced joining a coalition of 16 states, in suing the Trump Administration’s Department of Education over their unlawful decision to discontinue grants awarded through Congressionally-established school mental health funding programs, including roughly $200 million awarded to local education agencies, county offices of education, and universities in California. If allowed to stand, starting this fall, many States’ elementary and secondary schools will lose mental health services critical to students’ well-being, safety, and academic success. The Department had awarded this funding to the nation’s high-need, low-income, and rural schools pursuant to its Mental Health Service Professional Demonstration Grant Program (MHSP) and its School-Based Mental Health Services Grant Program (SBMH). The lawsuit, filed yesterday in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington seeks injunctive and declaratory relief to safeguard this critical funding, which fosters safe and supportive learning environments, and supports the well-being of our students. 

    “The Trump Administration’s Department of Education is attempting to rip away funding and projects that support the mental health and well-being of our students – it’s not only immoral, it’s unlawful,” said Attorney General Bonta. “These mental health programs were established by Congress following a wave of tragic and unacceptable school shootings, and they do critical work to ensure students can not only succeed but thrive. The loss of this funding would cause immense harm to California students, especially in our low-income and rural communities. The California Department of Justice will not stand idly by – we’re once again taking the Trump Administration to court, this time to protect the mental health and well-being of our students.” 

    Spurred by episodes of devastating loss from school shootings, Congress established and funded MHSP in 2018 and SBMH in 2020 to increase students’ access to mental health services. MHSP addresses the shortage of school-based mental health service providers by awarding multi-year grants to projects that expand the pipeline for counselors, social workers, and psychologists through partnerships between institutes of higher education and local educational agencies; and SBMH funds multi-year grants to increase the number of professionals that provide school-based mental health services to students through direct hiring and retention incentives. The ultimate goal of the programs is to permanently bring 14,000 additional mental health professionals into U.S. schools.

    The programs have been an incredible success. In their first year, the programs provided mental and behavioral health services to nearly 775,000 elementary and secondary students nationwide. Sampled projects showed real results: a 50% reduction in suicide risk at high-need schools, decreases in absenteeism and behavioral issues, and increases in positive student-staff engagement. Data also showed recruitment and retention efforts are working – in the first year of the programs, nearly 1,300 school mental health professionals were hired and 95% of those hired were retained. Importantly, these newly hired school-based mental health providers were able to create an 80% reduction in student wait time for services.

    In California, 44 local education agencies, county offices of education, and universities are set to lose roughly $200 million. The grants have helped schools hire hundreds of psychologists, counselors, and social workers who have served thousands of students, including in the state’s most economically disadvantaged and rural communities. By all markers, these programs work.

    Despite these successes, on or about April 29, 2025, the Department sent boilerplate notices to grantees, including state education agencies, local education agencies, and institutes of higher education, claiming that their grants conflicted with the Trump Administration’s priorities and would not be continued. The notices claimed the Department intends to reallocate funds based on new priorities of “merit, fairness, and excellence in education,” providing little to no insight into the basis for the discontinuance, while destroying projects years in the making. However, in the press, the Trump Administration admitted that it targeted Plaintiff States’ grants for their perceived diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts, which the States argue is not a legal basis for discontinuation. 

    In the lawsuit, the attorneys general argue that the Trump Administration’s decision to discontinue funding through a vague boilerplate notice, without any mention of grantees’ performance, violates the Administrative Procedure Act and is an unconstitutional violation of the Spending Clause and Separation of Powers. If allowed to stand, the Trump Administration’s unlawful decision to discontinue this funding would cause irreparable harm to States that would be forced to lay off school-based mental health service providers, cutting off much-needed mental health services to their rural and low-income schools. Furthermore, it will harm States’ students who have already benefitted from these Programs, making it more challenging for schools to provide services to students who feel abandoned and distrust mental health resources due to the interruption in services caused by the discontinuation.

    In filing the lawsuit, Attorney General Bonta joins the attorneys general of Washington, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Mexico, New York, Nevada, Oregon, Rhode Island, and Wisconsin.

    A copy of the lawsuit is available here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: Test Boost Max: This Legal Testosterone Supplement For Men Now Available in USA

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    New York City, NY, July 01, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — In an era where men’s health is at the forefront of the wellness conversation, Test Boost Max by Sculpt Nation has rapidly emerged as one of the most talked-about natural testosterone support supplements in the U.S. market. With consumers increasingly seeking solutions that enhance vitality, energy, and hormonal balance without synthetic ingredients, the growing momentum behind Test Boost Max marks a significant shift in how testosterone support is being approached.

    Positioned as a plant-powered formula that targets the body’s natural testosterone production, Test Boost Max has gained traction not through hype, but by aligning its formulation with scientific findings and time-tested herbal components. The supplement’s blend of botanicals, adaptogens, and minerals has drawn attention not only from fitness-minded consumers, but also from physicians, wellness professionals, and clinical nutritionists who are witnessing increased demand for natural alternatives to hormone therapy.

    Addressing a Quiet Epidemic: The Testosterone Decline in Modern Men

    According to the official product website (https:://sculptnation.com/) Testosterone levels in men have been gradually declining over the past few decades. While aging remains a natural factor, modern lifestyle stressors—ranging from chronic sleep deprivation and poor dietary habits to environmental toxins and sedentary routines—have exacerbated hormonal imbalances across age groups. According to recent data published in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, men today produce significantly less testosterone than men of the same age just 30 years ago.

    In this context, Test Boost Max is not marketed as a quick fix, but as part of a larger wellness framework that prioritizes stress management, movement, and nutritional support. Sculpt Nation emphasizes that the product was never designed to mimic synthetic testosterone or replace hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Instead, the supplement supports endocrine function by addressing the upstream mechanisms that influence testosterone levels.

    Inside the Formula: A Science-Grounded Approach

    The proprietary blend behind Test Boost Max is built around a core belief: the body’s hormonal systems respond best to natural compounds that have evolved alongside human biology. The formulation includes ingredients such as Ashwagandha root extract (KSM-66), Longjack (Tongkat Ali), Tribulus Terrestris, Epimedium, American Ginseng, Cordyceps, and Hawthorn Berry.

    Each ingredient was selected based on peer-reviewed research that supports its individual ability to affect stress, energy, libido, muscle performance, or hormonal signaling. For example, Ashwagandha has been shown to reduce cortisol levels—a known antagonist of testosterone—while also increasing serum testosterone in male subjects undergoing strength training. Tongkat Ali, meanwhile, has earned recognition in both Western and Southeast Asian medical communities for its potential to increase free testosterone and enhance energy metabolism.

    “What’s unique about Test Boost Max is the synergy,” explained Dr. Brandon Carr, an integrative health specialist not affiliated with the company. “These ingredients don’t just operate in isolation. Together, they create a broader effect—lowering stress, improving sleep quality, optimizing metabolic function—that all converge on hormonal health.”

    Sculpt Nation’s research and development team worked with clinical advisors to calibrate dosages to align with those tested in human trials. The aim, they say, was to balance safety with physiological efficacy—something often overlooked in overcrowded supplement categories where ingredient stuffing is more common than scientific restraint.

    View official website for latest pricing and promotions

    Natural Doesn’t Mean Passive: Results Without the Risks

    One of the reasons Test Boost Max has attracted attention in 2025 is because it operates within a unique space in men’s health: powerful enough to support results, yet gentle enough to respect the body’s own regulatory systems. With no synthetic hormones, banned substances, or pharmaceutical additives, it avoids many of the risks associated with testosterone replacement therapy, which can include fertility disruption, acne, mood instability, and cardiovascular strain.

    Early consumer data collected by Sculpt Nation suggests a favorable profile:

    • Men using the supplement for 60 days or more reported noticeable improvements in energy, sexual performance, strength, and lean muscle development.
    • Anecdotal feedback has highlighted a sense of renewed motivation and physical resilience, particularly in individuals aged 35 and above.

    Still, the company remains cautious not to overpromise. “We’re not here to sell magic pills,” said Dimond. “Test Boost Max is most effective when combined with movement, nutrition, and lifestyle adjustments. It’s a catalyst—not a cure-all.”

    Navigating a Crowded Market

    The U.S. supplement industry surpassed $60 billion in annual revenue in 2024, with male performance and hormonal health categories among the fastest growing segments. With competition from legacy brands and newer digital-first startups, it’s difficult for any one product to cut through the noise.

    However, Test Boost Max appears to be achieving just that—not by reinventing the wheel, but by refining it. The formula doesn’t overwhelm with dozens of unproven ingredients. It doesn’t rely on influencer gimmicks. It doesn’t bombard the body with megadoses. Instead, it does something rare: it respects the intelligence of the modern consumer.

    Its rising success may also be partially due to Sculpt Nation’s larger ecosystem. As the supplement arm of V Shred, a digital fitness brand known for personalized training programs, Sculpt Nation has access to an existing audience of millions already tuned into strength, performance, and transformation. For many of these customers, Test Boost Max serves as a natural extension of the lifestyle changes they’ve already adopted.

    No Gimmicks, Just Guarantees

    Perhaps the most striking move by Sculpt Nation was its decision to back Test Boost Max with a 100% lifetime money-back guarantee. Unlike the standard 30- or 60-day windows, this policy removes the pressure for immediate results and encourages long-term use, which aligns with how natural supplements often work.

    “We’re confident in what we’ve built,” said CEO Vinnie Fisher in a previous statement. “If someone doesn’t feel a meaningful difference, even after months or years, they deserve a refund. It’s that simple.”

    The gesture has been well received across industry forums, with many seeing it as a bold but welcome pivot toward accountability in the wellness supplement space.

    How Does Test Boost Max Work?

    According to the official product website, Test Boost Max is formulated to support the body’s endogenous testosterone production by enhancing the signaling pathways and physiological conditions that naturally encourage hormone synthesis. Instead of introducing synthetic testosterone, the product seeks to optimize the environment in which the body produces its own.
    The formula primarily works through several complementary mechanisms:
    Reducing Cortisol and Stress Load: Ingredients like Ashwagandha have been clinically shown to lower cortisol levels. Since cortisol has an inverse relationship with testosterone, reducing stress hormones helps preserve and potentially elevate testosterone levels.
    Improving Sleep Quality and Recovery: Many users of Test Boost Max report better sleep. Since testosterone is primarily produced during deep sleep, improving sleep quality can have a measurable effect on hormonal output.
    Stimulating Leydig Cell Activity: Longjack and Tribulus Terrestris are thought to stimulate the Leydig cells in the testes—the very cells responsible for testosterone synthesis—thereby nudging the body to produce more testosterone naturally.
    Supporting Circulation and Nutrient Delivery: With adaptogens like Epimedium and circulation-enhancing herbs like Hawthorn Berry, the formula helps improve blood flow, ensuring key nutrients are effectively delivered to the endocrine system.
    Enhancing Free Testosterone Availability: Some ingredients work by reducing the action of Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG), a protein that binds to testosterone and makes it unavailable. By reducing SHBG’s effects, more testosterone remains bioavailable.
    Together, these mechanisms enable Test Boost Max to create an internal environment conducive to hormonal balance and performance, rather than forcing an artificial response.

    View official website for more information

    Consumer Caution & Professional Guidance

    Despite its natural composition, Test Boost Max isn’t designed for everyone. Men with hormone-sensitive conditions, those on medication, or individuals with a history of endocrine disorders should consult a medical professional before using any testosterone-related supplement. Sculpt Nation includes this guidance on its packaging and insists that responsible supplementation starts with awareness.

    “We always recommend people consult their doctors—not because we doubt our product, but because every person’s health landscape is different,” said Dimond.

    Healthcare professionals, including naturopaths and performance dietitians, have echoed this stance. Some practitioners are beginning to integrate products like Test Boost Max into broader protocols, particularly in cases where patients seek natural alternatives to traditional hormone therapies.

    Looking to the Future

    With a growing body of data, increasing consumer awareness, and positive early outcomes, Test Boost Max seems well positioned for longevity in an otherwise trend-heavy market. Sculpt Nation has hinted at possible clinical collaborations in 2026 to study the supplement’s long-term effects in controlled populations—a move that could further solidify its credibility and differentiate it from opportunistic copycats.

    As wellness trends evolve in the post-pandemic era, the importance of hormone health is being redefined. Where testosterone was once whispered about behind closed doors, it is now part of a larger conversation about mood, motivation, metabolic resilience, and quality of life. Products like Test Boost Max are stepping into that conversation not as magic bullets, but as tools—respectful of science, rooted in nature, and oriented around sustainable results.

    About Sculpt Nation

    Sculpt Nation is a premium supplement brand founded by the creators of V Shred, a digital fitness platform with over 10 million users globally. Focused on science-driven formulations and high-quality ingredients, Sculpt Nation develops performance supplements that support fat loss, muscle building, hormonal balance, and total wellness. All products are manufactured in the USA and third-party tested for purity and safety. With a mission to bring transparency, accountability, and real results to the supplement space, Sculpt Nation is redefining the way people approach performance nutrition.

    For more information, educational content, and direct purchasing, visit the official Test Boost Max website.

    Contact:

    https:://sculptnation.com/
    V Shred
    4530 S Decatur Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89103
    support@vshred.com

    Disclaimer The information provided in this review is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as, nor should it be considered a substitute for, professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult with your physician or another qualified healthcare provider before beginning any new supplement, dietary change, or health program—especially if you are pregnant, nursing, have existing health conditions, or are taking medications. Results may vary among individuals.
    The statements made regarding Test Boost Max have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Test Boost Max is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Any claims made within this article about symptom relief, hearing improvement, or related health benefits are based on the product’s formulation and individual testimonials and not on conclusive clinical evidence. 
    This content does not constitute professional health or medical advice and should not be interpreted as such. Readers should always perform their own due diligence and consult medical professionals before making decisions related to health products.

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    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Humans and animals can both think logically − but testing what kind of logic they’re using is tricky

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Olga Lazareva, Professor of Psychology, Drake University

    For some mental processes, humans and animals likely follow similar lines of thinking. Catherine Falls Commercial/Moment via Getty Images

    Can a monkey, a pigeon or a fish reason like a person? It’s a question scientists have been testing in increasingly creative ways – and what we’ve found so far paints a more complicated picture than you’d think.

    Imagine you’re filling out a March Madness bracket. You hear that Team A beat Team B, and Team B beat Team C – so you assume Team A is probably better than Team C. That’s a kind of logical reasoning known as transitive inference. It’s so automatic that you barely notice you’re doing it.

    It turns out humans are not the only ones who can make these kinds of mental leaps. In labs around the world, researchers have tested many animals, from primates to birds to insects, on tasks designed to probe transitive inference, and most pass with flying colors.

    As a scientist focused on animal learning and behavior, I work with pigeons to understand how they make sense of relationships, patterns and rules. In other words, I study the minds of animals that will never fill out a March Madness bracket – but might still be able to guess the winner.

    Logic test without words

    The basic idea is simple: If an animal learns that A is better than B, and B is better than C, can it figure out that A is better than C – even though it’s never seen A and C together?

    In the lab, researchers test this by giving animals randomly paired images, one pair at a time, and rewarding them with food for picking the correct one. For example, animals learn that a photo of hands (A) is correct when paired with a classroom (B), a classroom (B) is correct when paired with bushes (C), bushes (C) are correct when paired with a highway (D), and a highway (D) is correct when paired with a sunset (E). We don’t know whether they “understand” what’s in the picture, and it is not particularly important for the experiment that they do.

    In a transitive inference task, subjects learn a series of rewarded pairs – such as A+ vs. B–, B+ vs. C– – and are later tested on novel pairings, like B vs. D, to see whether they infer an overall ranking.
    Olga Lazareva, CC BY-ND

    One possible explanation is that the animals that learn all the tasks create a mental ranking of these images: A > B > C > D > E. We test this idea by giving them new pairs they’ve never seen before, such as classroom (B) vs. highway (D). If they consistently pick the higher-ranked item, they’ve inferred the underlying order.

    What’s fascinating is how many species succeed at this task. Monkeys, rats, pigeons – even fish and wasps – have all demonstrated transitive inference in one form or another.

    The twist: Not all tasks are easy

    But not all types of reasoning come so easily. There’s another kind of rule called transitivity that is different from transitive inference, despite the similar name. Instead of asking which picture is better, transitivity is about equivalence.

    In this task, animals are shown a set of three pictures and asked which one goes with the center image. For example, if white triangle (A1) is shown, choosing red square (B1) earns a reward, while choosing blue square (B2) does not. Later, when red square (B1) is shown, choosing white cross (C1) earns a reward while choosing white circle (C2) does not. Now comes the test: white triangle (A1) is shown with white cross (C1) and white circle (C2) as choices. If they pick white cross (C1), then they’ve demonstrated transitivity.

    In a transitivity task, subjects learn matching rules across overlapping sets – such as A1 matches B1, B1 matches C1 – and are tested on new combinations, such as A1 with C1 or C2, to assess whether they infer the relationship between A1 and C1.
    Olga Lazareva, CC BY-ND

    The change may seem small, but species that succeed in those first transitive inference tasks often stumble in this task. In fact, they tend to treat the white triangle and the white cross as completely separate things, despite their common relationship with the red square. In my recently published review of research using the two tasks, I concluded that more evidence is needed to determine whether these tests tap into the same cognitive ability.

    Small differences, big consequences

    Why does the difference between transitive inference and transitivity matter? At first glance, they may seem like two versions of the same ability – logical reasoning. But when animals succeed at one and struggle with the other, it raises an important question: Are these tasks measuring the same kind of thinking?

    The apparent difference between the two tasks isn’t just a quirk of animal behavior. Psychology researchers apply these tasks to humans in order to draw conclusions about how people reason.

    For example, say you’re trying to pick a new almond milk. You know that Brand A is creamier than Brand B, and your friend told you that Brand C is even waterier than Brand B. Based on that, because you like a thicker milk, you might assume Brand A is better than Brand C, an example of transitive inference.

    But now imagine the store labels both Brand A and Brand C as “barista blends.” Even without tasting them, you might treat them as functionally equivalent, because they belong to the same category. That’s more like transitivity, where items are grouped based on shared relationships. In this case, “barista blend” signals the brands share similar quality.

    How researchers define logical reasoning determines how they interpret results.
    Svetlana Mishchenko/iStock via Getty Images

    Researchers often treat these types of reasoning as measuring the same ability. But if they rely on different mental processes, they might not be interchangeable. In other words, the way scientists ask their questions may shape the answer – and that has big implications for how they interpret success in animals and in people.

    This difference could affect how researchers interpret decision-making not only in the lab, but also in everyday choices and in clinical settings. Tasks like these are sometimes used in research on autism, brain injury or age-related cognitive decline.

    If two tasks look similar on the surface, then choosing the wrong one might lead to inaccurate conclusions about someone’s cognitive abilities. That’s why ongoing work in my lab is exploring whether the same distinction between these logical processes holds true for people.

    Just like a March Madness bracket doesn’t always predict the winner, a reasoning task doesn’t always show how someone got to the right answer. That’s the puzzle researchers are still working on – figuring out whether different tasks really tap into the same kind of thinking or just look like they do. It’s what keeps scientists like me in the lab, asking questions, running experiments and trying to understand what it really means to reason – no matter who’s doing the thinking.

    Olga Lazareva does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. Humans and animals can both think logically − but testing what kind of logic they’re using is tricky – https://theconversation.com/humans-and-animals-can-both-think-logically-but-testing-what-kind-of-logic-theyre-using-is-tricky-253001

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI USA: GOP Votes Down Warnock Amendment to Save Georgia Jobs, Protect Rural Manufacturing Boom

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock – Georgia

    GOP Votes Down Warnock Amendment to Save Georgia Jobs, Protect Rural Manufacturing Boom

    Senator Reverend Warnock took to the Senate floor to offer a bipartisan amendment to protect hundreds of thousands of clean energy jobs across the country
    Senator Warnock was instrumental in passing these clean energy tax credits, which are responsible for 42,000 good-paying jobs in Georgia
    In his effort to save these Georgia jobs, Senator Warnock penned an op-ed in the AJC, held a press conference in Savannah, and published a report on the risks posed to Georgia should the tax credits be repealed
     Senator Reverend Warnock: “Those 42,000 Georgia jobs and hundreds of thousands of jobs nationwide are at risk if Republicans have their way and roll back these tax credits”
    Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) took to the floor of the United States Senate to urge his GOP colleagues to pass a bipartisan amendment to protect hundreds of thousands of jobs in communities across the country. Senate Republicans voted down his motion by a vote of 48-51.
    As currently written, the GOP spending bill would eliminate many of the clean energy tax credits included in the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) that have brought a manufacturing boom to communities across the U.S.
    “Mr. President, I rise to protect pro-business tax credits that are creating hundreds of thousands of American jobs, many of which don’t require a college degree…” said Senator Warnock. “42,000 Georgia jobs and hundreds of thousands of jobs nationwide are at risk if Republicans have their way and roll back these tax credits.”
    Senator Warnock has warned his colleagues repeatedly of the risks that repealing clean energy tax credits will have on Americans across the country. In May, Senator Warnock published a report highlighting the impact that the cuts would have on Georgia and its economy. The Senator followed his report with a press conference in Savannah at the Georgia Ports Authority warning of the impact on rural communities and an op-ed in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Georgia is the single largest recipient of IRA tax credits in the U.S., with over $28 billion in investment, 42,000 jobs, and 51 projects announced in the state.
    The Warnock Amendment would force the Senate to reconsider its current path toward repealing the clean energy tax credits in the GOP spending bill by returning the bill to the Senate Finance Committee for additional consideration.
    In recent days, a bipartisan push urging GOP senators to reverse their proposed cuts has swept the country. Last week, Georgia lawmakers sent a letter to Senate Finance Committee Chairman Mike Crapo (R-ID) asking him to reconsider his support for the rollback of solar energy tax credits, writing: “We urge you not to weaken the tax credits, as doing so would only harm the manufacturing renaissance in Georgia while creating opportunities for Chinese companies to take over the solar industry.”
    Nationwide analyses show that the “vast majority” of projects announced following the passage of the clean energy tax credits have been investments in Congressional districts currently held by Republicans. This is particularly true in Georgia where 83 percent of the projects, 94 percent of the total investment, and 75 percent of the jobs are in Republican districts. More than 95 percent of the new jobs and investments are in counties where the percentage of people with a bachelor’s degree is below the national average. 
    Full remarks available below:
    Mr. President. I rise to protect pro-business, pro-worker tax credits that are creating hundreds of thousands of American clean energy manufacturing jobs, many of which don’t require a college degree.
    Put simply, these tax credits are working: I know firsthand because they’re working right now in Georgia.
    Businesses which we’ve invested $1 [federally], we’ve seen [private] investments as much as $4.50.
    They’ve helped create 42,000 new manufacturing and construction jobs, many in rural parts of our state that are too often left behind by Washington politicians. Those 42,000 Georgia jobs and hundreds of thousands of jobs nationwide are at risk if Republicans have their way and roll back these tax credits.
    That’s why North America’s Building Trades Unions called this bill the “biggest job-killing bill in the history of this country.”
    I urge my colleagues to vote with America’s workers and vote YES on my Motion to Commit.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Defense News in Brief: Koa Moana 25 U.S. Marines and Sailors Lifesaving Kits Empowering Palau in Time for Pacific Mini Games

    Source: United States Navy

    KOROR, Palau – On June 25, 2025, U.S. Marines and Sailors with Koa Moana 25 delivered 100 first aid kits to the Belau National Hospital in Palau. Koa Moana is a recurring exercise that fosters partnerships with Compact of Free Association nations like the Republic of Palau and the Federated States of Micronesia through medical aid, engineering, and security cooperation.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Defense News in Brief: U.S., Malaysian forces conclude Bersama Warrior 25

    Source: United States Navy

    KUANTAN, Malaysia — Service members with the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF), U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, and U.S. joint forces – including active duty and reserve components – concluded Bersama Warrior 25 on June 26, following 10 days of bilateral staff integration and scenario-based planning in Kuantan, Malaysia.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Defense News in Brief: 300 Strong: Information Warfare WTI Cadre Reaches Milestone, Sharpening Warfighting Edge

    Source: United States Navy

    NORFOLK, Va. – Naval Information Warfighting Development Center (NIWDC), commanded by Rear Adm. Brian Harding, celebrated the graduation of 17 new Information Warfare (IW) Warfare Tactics Instructors (WTIs) during a ceremony where Vice Adm. Mike Vernazza, Commander, Naval Information Forces, served as the guest speaker.  This graduation marks a significant milestone, bringing the total number of IW WTIs in the cadre to 300.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Ivey Announces CHOOSE Act ESAs Now Available for 2025-2026 Recipients

    Source: US State of Alabama

    MONTGOMERY — Governor Kay Ivey on Tuesday announced that education savings accounts (ESAs) established by the state’s CHOOSE Act program are now fully funded and available for the 2025-2026 school year. Families that were approved through the application process earlier this year can access their funding through the ClassWallet platform to help pay for school tuition, tutoring, educational therapies and other qualifying educational expenses at approved education service providers (ESPs).

    Since CHOOSE Act applications opened in January 2025, students in every county throughout the state have applied, totaling 36,873 students. Funding for eligible students includes:

    • $7,000 per eligible student enrolled in a participating school
    • $2,000 per participating student enrolled in a home education program (maximum of $4,000 per family)

    “Our CHOOSE Act education saving accounts are officially ready to support thousands of Alabama families and students with their unique educational needs,” said Governor Ivey. “In just the first year, our state’s ESA program is incredibly popular, providing opportunity, flexibility and choice when it comes to our children’s education. I am excited to see the program in action this year.”

    According to the Alabama Department of Revenue (ALDOR), which administers the program, students from every grade level applied for funding this year, with over 23,000 students receiving approval. This equates to over $124 million in ESAs supporting school choice for Alabama families and students.

    Families approved for ESA funding will receive a welcome email on or around July 1 from ClassWallet, ALDOR’s program support partner, with instructions on how to access their funds and guidance on how to use them. The email will also include information on how to attend upcoming webinars that will provide additional support and information for participating families and students.

    For information, visit www.chooseact.alabama.gov, which has program information such as a Parent Guide, a Program FAQ and a list of approved education service providers. The application process for the 2026-2027 academic year will begin in January 2026.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: Maris-Tech Expands Asia-Pacific Reach with New Distribution Agreement in Singapore

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Distribution Agreement with Precision Technologies Strengthens Presence in Key Defense and Security Markets

    Rehovot, Israel, July 01, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Maris-Tech Ltd. (Nasdaq: MTEK, MTEKW) (“Maris-Tech” or the “Company”), a global leader in video and artificial intelligence (“AI”)- based edge computing technology, today announced that it has entered into a distribution agreement with Precision Technologies Pte Ltd. (“Precision Technologies”), a leading Singapore-based supplier of cutting-edge defense and security solutions.

    The agreement marks an important milestone for Maris-Tech as it continues to expand its global footprint by strengthening its presence in the Asia-Pacific region. Under the terms of the agreement, Precision Technologies will promote and distribute the Company’s full range of video-based edge AI computing solutions, serving key markets including defense, homeland security, aerospace, and commercial sectors throughout Singapore.

    “Collaborating with a respected and established player like Precision Technologies is an important milestone for Maris-Tech,” said Israel Bar, Chief Executive Officer of Maris-Tech. “The Asia-Pacific region is a key growth area, and we believe that this collaboration represents a strong vote of confidence in our technology and products. We believe that customers in this region will greatly benefit from our advanced solutions for AI-powered video intelligence and edge computing.”

    About Maris-Tech Ltd.

    Maris-Tech is a global leader in video and AI-based edge computing technology, pioneering intelligent video transmission solutions that conquer complex encoding-decoding challenges. Our miniature, lightweight, and low-power products deliver high-performance capabilities, including raw data processing, seamless transfer, advanced image processing, and AI-driven analytics. Founded by Israeli technology sector veterans, Maris-Tech serves leading manufacturers worldwide in defense, aerospace, Intelligence gathering, homeland security (HLS), and communication industries. We’re pushing the boundaries of video transmission and edge computing, driving innovation in mission-critical applications across commercial and defense sectors.

    For more information, visit https://www.maris-tech.com/

    Forward-Looking Statement Disclaimer

    This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, that are intended to be covered by the “safe harbor” created by those sections. Forward-looking statements, which are based on certain assumptions and describe our future plans, strategies and expectations, can generally be identified by the use of forward-looking terms such as “believe,” “expect”,” “may”, “should,” “could,” “seek,” “intend,” “plan,” “goal,” “estimate,” “anticipate” or other comparable terms. For example, the Company is using forward-looking statements when it is discussing the Company’s growth strategy and presence in the Asia-Pacific region; potential benefits of the collaboration between the Company and Precision Technologies; and that customers in the Asia-Pacific region will greatly benefit from the Company’s advanced solutions for AI-powered video intelligence and edge computing. The Company’s actual results and financial condition may differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. Therefore, you should not rely on any of these forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause our actual results and financial condition to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements include, among others, the following: its ability to successfully market its products and services, including in the United States; the acceptance of its products and services by customers; its continued ability to pay operating costs and ability to meet demand for its products and services; the amount and nature of competition from other security and telecom products and services; the effects of changes in the cybersecurity and telecom markets; its ability to successfully develop new products and services; its success establishing and maintaining collaborative, strategic alliance agreements, licensing and supplier arrangements; its ability to comply with applicable regulations; and the other risks and uncertainties described in the Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2024, filed with the SEC on March 28, 2025, and its other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.

    Investor Relations:

    Nir Bussy, CFO
    Tel: +972-72-2424022
    Nir@maris-tech.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: AFRICA/DR CONGO – Peace agreement between the Democratic Party and Rwanda: another mockery

    Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

    Kinshasa (Agenzia Fides) – “The impression created by the people of Bukavu, exhausted by more than four months of occupation, is one of perplexity and the feeling of being deceived again and again, even if they do not give up hope that something will change on the ground. But what? New reports of killings by the M23 are coming from the city and the province,” said a Church source in Bukavu, the capital of South Kivu, occupied by Rwandan troops and the M23 movement since mid-February (see Fides, 17/2/2025), commenting on the peace agreement signed on June 27 in Washington by Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo under the auspices of the Trump administration (see Fides, 27/6/2025).The agreement provides for the “lifting of Rwandan defense measures” within three months, with the withdrawal of Rwandan soldiers from the Democratic Republic of Congo, and the neutralization of the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), founded by former Hutu leaders, linked to the 1994 Rwandan genocide, and viewed by Kigali as an existential threat.The agreement also contains an economic aspect, which has not yet been specified, but which is said to provide for the exploitation of Congolese natural resources by American companies.”Many people were even willing to lose the country’s natural resources to regain peace, but this remains in question,” the Fides source reports. “Because Rwanda, which occupies and exploits the provinces of North and South Kivu under the guise of the M23, does not seem to be affected by the agreement.So, at the moment, nothing is moving forward. Precisely where change is most needed.” “There is one fundamental change that everyone, except those who have changed their colors, is waiting for: the withdrawal of all Rwandan soldiers, who are to return to their homeland. This is not explicitly stated in the agreement; it only speaks of a cessation of hostilities. Even though it cites UN Resolution 2773, which calls for such a return”.”Upon reading, the text seems to me to be full of pitfalls. Another obvious pitfall is the fact that it mentions six times that the FDLR is to be neutralized. As if this were the real problem. It is a pretext, perhaps to avoid having to say out loud to Rwanda: The king is naked and he attacked an independent country. The FDLR are few in number, are repeatedly repatriated, and are completely unsuitable for an attack on Rwanda. But they are suitable to justify the presence of the Rwandan army in Congo.” “And they demand the disarmament of all militias: including this militia, which is of course often disorganized, sometimes infiltrated by bandits, but which, alone or with the few remaining Congolese soldiers, is blocking the advance of the M23. Meanwhile, the occupying forces continue to murder, rape, and humiliate a population that is now starving. You have to experience these things to feel the humiliation of those who ask why they do not know how to feed their children and the helplessness of those who respond: ‘I’m sorry, but we have no money to give you because the banks are closed,’” the source said. “Another pitfall is the return of refugees. There are hardly any Congolese refugees in Rwanda. Rather, there are hordes of self-proclaimed Rwandan refugees just waiting to enter Congo to settle there and continue to nurture the dream of a Greater Rwanda. It is true that reference is made to traditional institutions: they will have to say whether the person is truly from a particular place or not. We shall see,” the report continues. “And what about economic cooperation with a country that continues to plunder everything it can, crossing the borders of the occupied territories? The prospect, as some say, is that Congo will remain the great mine where people suffer and even die for little money, while Rwanda will be the site of refineries, and the large multinationals and the States that support them will be the big winners. With the blessing of their opportunistic friends, the United States. Is it a coincidence that the word ‘justice’ is not mentioned in the document? What about the millions of victims, the dead and the traumatized survivors, the children deprived of schooling, the young people robbed of their youth, the adults deprived of the vital minimum that makes a person’s dignity?None of this would have happened without the pressure from the Congolese authorities, who create the impression that they betrayed their country and their people in order to stay in power,” the source emphasizes. “Congolese civil society, especially in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo, had prepared several clarifying documents and addressed them to the highest authorities, expressing their concerns. This was ignored. Nobel laureate Mukwege had raised his voice with a speech that was initially humanitarian and then political, tackling the root causes of the problems. Yet it was as if no one had said anything. The overall impression is therefore a mockery. It is bad to oppress a people. It is even worse to make them believe that you are helping them,” the source concludes. (Agenzia Fides, 1/7/2025)
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  • MIL-OSI USA News: No Tax on Social Security is a Reality in the One Big Beautiful Bill

    Source: US Whitehouse

    Under the One Big Beautiful Bill, the vast majority of senior citizens — 88% of all seniors who receive Social Security — will pay NO TAX on their Social Security benefits, according to a brand new analysis from the Council of Economic Advisers.

    • A senior who files as a single taxpayer and receives the current average retirement benefit (approx. $24,000) will see deductions that exceed their taxable Social Security income.
    • Married seniors who both receive the average $24,000 Social Security income — a total of $48,000 in annual income — will also see deductions that exceed their taxable Social Security income.

    This amounts to the largest tax break in history for America’s seniors — and makes sure that after years of earning their Social Security, seniors can save more of their money.

    Promises made, promises kept.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: The Status of the Chagos Archipelago –  Part II: United Kingdom’s Agreement with Mauritius

    Source: US Global Legal Monitor

    The following is a guest post by Clare Feikert-Ahalt, a senior foreign law specialist at the Law Library of Congress covering the United Kingdom and several other jurisdictions. Clare has written numerous posts for In Custodia Legis, including Revealing the Presence of Ghosts; Weird Laws, or Urban Legends?; FALQs: Brexit Referendum; 100 Years of “Poppy Day” in the United Kingdom; and Mr. Bates vs. The Post Office Spurs Possible Law Change.

    Yesterday’s post described the historic status of the Chagos Archipelago and the United Kingdom’s (UK) power over the territory. Today’s post describes the new agreement, which returns sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago and allows for the continued use of the UK-US military base.

    On May 22, 2025, the United Kingdom and Mauritius signed an agreement that “recognis[es] the wrongs of the past” with regards to the Chagos Archipelago. The agreement transfers sovereignty of the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) from the UK to Mauritius, while providing the UK with “rights and authorities [over Diego Garcia] that the United Kingdom requires for the long-term, secure and effective operation of the Base.”

    The agreement, which took over two years and 13 rounds of negotiations to achieve, secures British interests in Diego Garcia, including an area of 12 nautical miles surrounding the island, for 99 years. The agreement provides the UK with the right to access, maintain, and invest in the base, along with the ability to use it for defense purposes. It places a binding obligation on both parties to ensure the secure and effective operation of the base. The UK’s secretary of state for defence notes the agreement achieves the “secured unrestricted access to, and use of, the base, as well as control over movement of all persons and all goods on the base and control of all communication and electronic systems.”

    Any activities on the wider islands of the Chagos Archipelago, such as the construction of any structure, artificial island, sensor, or barrier within 24 nautical miles, must be approved through a joint decision process between the UK and Mauritius, which serves as an “effective veto” of development in the islands surrounding Diego Garcia as the UK does not want other countries, particularly those hostile to the UK, to have a presence near this facility.

    The 99 years can be extended for a further 40 years if both parties agree, and it may be extended again thereafter. The estimated cost to UK for 99 years “is £101 million [annually] and the net present value of payments under the treaty is £3.4 billion” (approximately US$136 million and US$4.6 billion respectively) accounting for approximately 0.2% of the defense budget. The government has stated this is less than the cost of running an aircraft carrier, without aircraft, for a year.

    The agreement provides for the resettlement of the residents of Diego Garcia, known as the Chagossians, on the islands of the Chagos Archipelago, with the exception of Diego Garcia. It also provides for the establishment of a trust fund of £40 million (approximately US$54 million) to benefit Chagossians and an annual grant of £45 million (approximately US$61 million) for 25 years to fund projects that promote economic development and welfare in Mauritius. Article 11 of the agreement states that it “constitutes the full and final settlement of all claims by Mauritius in relation to the Chagos Archipelago.”

    The treaty was laid before both Houses of Parliament on May 22, 2025, and either of the Houses of Parliament may object to its ratification until July 3, 3035.

    The Defense Facility on Diego Garcia

    The secretary of state for defence for the UK stated “[t]he importance of Diego Garcia cannot be overstated” and a government press release announcing the agreement notes that the base is central to both the UK and US’s emergency planning and operations, with the base serving as:

    “a critical logistics hub at a strategic location, with a full range of facilities that acts as a key refueling and resupply station for naval and air operations. This enables power projection and global reach, allowing for rapid and flexible deployment of our forces across the Middle East, East Africa, and South Asia.”

    While most of the work on, and capabilities of, Diego Garcia are not disclosed, the secretary of state for defence and the UK prime minister have publicly acknowledged that the base supports operations, including those related to counter-terrorism, in the Middle East, East Africa, and South Asia. Public statements detail that the base houses:

    • an airfield enabling strike operations and the rapid deployment of the military in this area, “… creat[ing] real military advantage across the Indo-Pacific;”
    • a deep-water port that, among other uses, “supports missions from nuclear-powered submarines to [the UK’s] carrier strike group;”
    • advanced communications, which includes management of the electromagnetic spectrum satellite;
    • surveillance capabilities;
    • facilities that support the global operation of GPS, notably one monitoring station and one of four ground antennas;
    • Ground-Base Electro-Optical Deep Space Surveillance (GEODSS) System, which “provides situational awareness of objects in Earth’s orbit, helping to track space debris that pose a risk to space systems”; and
    • “three pieces of critical Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty monitoring equipment”, including seismic monitoring equipment that checks for indicators of nuclear testing, helping to secure compliance with the nuclear test ban treaty.

    The presence of the base in the center of the Indian Ocean also helps to safeguard an important trade route, through which “a third of the world’s bulk cargo and two-thirds of global oil shipments are transported.”

    The US Navy describes the facility on Diego Garcia as “the tip of the spear” and states that it “provides logistic support to operational forces forward deployed to the Indian Ocean and Persian Gulf areas of responsibility in support of national policy objectives.”

    The prime minister stated that the agreement is vital to the UK’s defence and intelligence, and for securing the safety and security of the British people at this time. He stated “… the base was under threat” from legal challenges by Mauritius, and the government believes there is no viable alternative to protect the base and secure the islands surrounding it.

    The prime minister further noted that if the UK disregarded any future legal judgements, “international organisations and other countries would act on them. And that would undermine the operation of the base.” The UK was particularly concerned at the prospect of other countries establishing a presence in the islands surrounding Diego Garcia, or conducting training exercises nearby, which could impact the operation of the base, and that it would be unable to prevent this without an agreement.

    The prime minister has described the base as “one of the most significant contributions we make to our security relationship with the United States.” The UK foreign secretary stated the US was unhappy with the uncertainty created by the situation and “strongly encouraged [the UK] to strike a deal.” It was against this background that negotiations were commenced and the treaty was made.

    Reaction to the Agreement

    The opposition conservative party has been critical of the agreement, stating that the government “prioritised heeding the most pessimistic legal advice” concerning the potential of legal judgments. The opposition further stated that the agreement puts the defense facility at risk due to Mauritius’ ties to Russia and China. The UK shadow secretary of state said in parliament that “[t]he Government should not be surrendering strategically vital sovereign territory, especially when we face such threats, and they certainly should not be paying billions for the privilege”, noting further that the agreement does not offer any protection to the Chagossians.

    Internationally, the agreement has been backed by the UK’s “Five Eyes” partners, which include the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Japan, India, and the African Union have also welcomed the agreement. US President Donald Trump expressed his support for the agreement and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, stated that while the administration is not a party to the agreement, it “remain[s] responsible for operating the U.S. Naval Support Facility on Diego Garcia, which continues to play a vital role in supporting forward-deployed operational forces and advancing security across the region.”

    The US secretary of state stated:

    “The Trump Administration determined that this agreement secures the long-term, stable, and effective operation of the joint U.S.-UK military facility at Diego Garcia. This is a critical asset for regional and global security.”

    While the agreement has been welcomed by the UK and several of its allies, the United Nations has condemned the agreement, issuing a press release stating:

    “By maintaining a foreign military presence of the United Kingdom and the United States on Diego Garcia and preventing the Chagossian people from returning to Diego Garcia, the agreement appears to be at variance with the Chagossians’ right to return, which also hinders their ability to exercise their cultural rights in accessing their ancestral lands from which they were expelled.”

    The UN has urged the UK to “apply a human rights-based approach in addressing historical injustices against the Chagossian people.”

    Additional Law Library of Congress Resources on the Laws of Mauritius and the UK

    Subscribe to In Custodia Legis – it’s free! – to receive interesting posts drawn from the Law Library of Congress’s vast collections and our staff’s expertise in U.S., foreign, and international law.

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  • MIL-OSI Europe: AFRICA/SUDAN – Insecurity and lack of services worsen the situation in the capital: teachers disagree in the reopening of schools

    Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

    Tuesday, 1 July 2025

    Internet

    Khartoum (Agenzia Fides) – Most areas of Khartoum are without electricity and water, exacerbating the country’s already precarious security situation and the lack of other services such as internet and telecommunications.Recently, the humanitarian organization LIZENFO raised the alarm which reported that a large number of people in the Sudanese capital have been forced to return to displacement areas, with the exception of areas of Omdurman. According to the director of the organization, several civilians from Khartoum have returned to the United States after facing great difficulties during the conflict in the capital.Against a backdrop of general insecurity, the Sudanese Teachers’ Committee has voiced its disagreement with a decision by the Khartoum state government’s decision to reopen schools, saying that the move ignores the deteriorating security, health, and economic reality, and post a direct threat to the lives of education workers and their families. Furthermore, telecommunications networks are fluctuating, and the internet is not available most of the time. The teachers pointed out that they are forced to charge their phones, at great expense, at shops that rely on solar energy, and warned of a terrible deterioration in the humanitarian situation, and the high cost of food.Furthermore, civilians in the south and west of Khartoum are being detained and taken to unknown locations without giving reasons. Most neighborhood markets remain closed, and the public are forced to go to the central market, in addition to traveling long distances to get drinking water. (AP) (Agenzia Fides, 1/7/2025)
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  • MIL-OSI: Applied Systems Announces New Alliance Partnership

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Chicago, IL., July 01, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Applied Systems® today announced FirstChoice, a MarshBerry Company, as its newest Alliance Partner, delivering educational resources and innovative technology to its members. Through the Applied Partner Program, FirstChoice helps its member agencies seamlessly connect to the digital roundtrip of insurance by providing access to Applied’s Digital Agency and EZLynx’s agency management technology, enabling them to create operational efficiency at every stage of the lifecycle and grow their business.

    “As volatile premium rates and an increased emphasis on digital marketplaces and personalized customer service continue to change the industry, we are committed to ensuring our member agencies are equipped to succeed,” said Keith Captain, president, FirstChoice. “Partnering with Applied gives FirstChoice members the resources, tools, and strategic support they need to embrace technology solutions so they can enable sustained and profitable revenue growth.” 

    Applied’s Digital Agency solution consists of a foundational management system, payment hub, online customer self-service and mobile technology, commercial lines application digitization and automation, and insurer connectivity, all hosted in the cloud. The fully integrated solution enables agencies to create higher-value business transactions and deliver superior customer experiences throughout the entire insurance lifecycle. By leveraging integrated applications that enable agencies to manage their entire business and eliminate duplicative work typically caused by multiple, disparate systems, digital agencies operate more efficiently, improve customer service, and accelerate growth and profitability across all lines of business.

    EZLynx’s integrated agency management technologies provide comparative rating, agency management and automation, commercial submissions, retention tools, consumer quoting, email marketing, text messaging, online client self-servicing, and so much more. The system maximizes agencies’ potential by increasing their ability to retain current customers while acquiring new business. By providing a central location, EZLynx enables agents to generate and store quotes, policies and documents, as well as easily remarket with up-to-date information that is synced from agents’ daily policy downloads. Through advanced automation and the ability to seamlessly connect to insurers and insureds, agents using EZLynx improve productivity, simplify management, optimize serviceability and increase profitability. 

    The Applied Alliance Partner Program creates additional value in the independent insurance distribution channel by providing greater resources to networks and their agencies for sustainable business growth. Through collaboration, the program identifies and engages insurance network membership organizations on technology and market initiatives that benefit their business and member agencies. Learn more about the Applied Alliance Partner Program.

    “Technology continues to create new business and service models that help independent agents keep up with consumer demands and become better business partners to their insured clients,” said Chris Cline, vice president, sales, alliance partnerships, Applied Systems. “We are proud to welcome FirstChoice to the Applied Partner Program, delivering their members access to technology best practices, industry expertise and Applied product solutions that strengthen customer relationships and drive growth for their businesses.”

    # # #

    The Applied products and logos are trademarks of Applied Systems, Inc., registered in the U.S.

    About Applied Systems
    Applied Systems is the leading global provider of cloud-based software that powers the business of insurance. Recognized as a pioneer in insurance automation and the innovation leader, Applied is the world’s largest provider of agency and brokerage management systems, serving customers throughout the United States, Canada, the Republic of Ireland, and the United Kingdom. By automating the insurance lifecycle, Applied’s people and products enable millions of people around the world to safeguard and protect what matters most.

    MarshBerry – Helping Clients Learn, Improve & Realize Value
    MarshBerry is a global leader in financial services and consulting dedicated to helping insurance brokerages, and firms in the wealth management industry, achieve sustained growth and value for every stage of ownership. With a legacy spanning over 40 years, MarshBerry offers an extensive suite of services, including Investment Banking (Merger & Acquisition Advisory; Capital Raising), Financial Consulting (Strategic Planning; Valuations; Perpetuation Planning), Organic Growth Consulting (Leadership, Sales & Talent Solutions), Executive Peer Exchange, Agency Network and Market Intelligence and Performance Benchmarking. For more information, visit www.MarshBerry.com.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Nutanix Study Finds Adoption of GenAI and Containers in the Healthcare Sector Has Accelerated, But IT Infrastructure Modernization to Support it Lags Behind

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SAN JOSE, Calif., July 01, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Nutanix (NASDAQ: NTNX), a leader in hybrid multicloud computing, announced the findings of its seventh annual global Healthcare Enterprise Cloud Index (ECI) survey and research report, which measures enterprise progress with cloud adoption in the industry. The research showed that 99% of healthcare organizations surveyed are currently leveraging GenAI applications or workloads today, more than any other industry. This includes a mix of applications from AI-powered chatbots to code co-pilots and clinical development automation. However, the overwhelming majority (96%) share that their current data security and governance measures are insufficient to fully support GenAI at scale.

    “In healthcare, every decision we make has a direct impact on patient outcomes – including how we evolve our technology stack,” said Jon Edwards, Director IS Infrastructure Engineering at Legacy Health. “We took a close look at how to integrate GenAI responsibly, and that meant investing in infrastructure that supports long-term innovation without compromising on data privacy or security. We’re committed to modernizing our systems to deliver better care, drive efficiency, and uphold the trust that patients place in us.”

    This year’s report revealed that healthcare leaders are adopting GenAI at record rates while concerns remain. The number one issue flagged by healthcare leaders is the ability to integrate it with existing IT infrastructure (79%) followed closely by the fact that healthcare data silos still exist (65%), and development challenges with cloud native applications and containers (59%) are persistent.

    “While healthcare has typically been slower to adopt new technologies, we’ve seen a significant uptick in the adoption of GenAI, much of this likely due to the ease of access to GenAI applications and tools,” said Scott Ragsdale, Senior Director, Sales – Healthcare & SLED at Nutanix. “Even with such large adoption rates by organizations, there continue to be concerns given the importance of protecting healthcare data. Although all organizations surveyed are using GenAI in some capacity, we’ll likely see more widespread adoption within those organizations as concerns around privacy and security are resolved.”

    Healthcare survey respondents were asked about GenAI adoptions and trends, Kubernetes and containers, how they’re running business and mission critical applications today, and where they plan to run them in the future. Key findings from this year’s report include:

    • GenAI solution adoption and deployment across healthcare will necessitate a more comprehensive approach to data security. Healthcare respondents indicate a significant amount of work needs to be done to improve the foundational levels of data security/governance required to support GenAI solution implementation and success. The No. 1 challenge faced by healthcare organizations when it comes to leveraging or expanding utilization of GenAI is privacy and security concerns of using large language models (LLMs) with sensitive company data. Furthermore, 96% of healthcare respondents agree that their organization could be doing more to secure their GenAI models and applications. Improving data security and governance at the scale needed to support emerging GenAI workloads will be a long-term challenge and priority for many healthcare organizations.
    • Prioritize infrastructure modernization to support GenAI at scale across healthcare organizations. Running modern applications at enterprise scale requires infrastructure solutions that can support the necessary requirements for complex data security, data integrity and resilience. Unfortunately, 99% of healthcare respondents admit they face challenges when scaling GenAI workloads from development to production – with the No. 1 issue being integration with existing IT infrastructure. For this reason, we believe it is imperative that healthcare IT decision-makers prioritize infrastructure investments and modernization as a key enabling component of GenAI initiatives.
    • GenAI solution adoption in the healthcare sector continues at a rapid pace, but there are still challenges to overcome. When it comes to GenAI adoption, healthcare metrics are excellent, with 99% of industry respondents saying their organization is leveraging GenAI applications/workloads today. Most healthcare organizations believe GenAI solutions will help improve levels of productivity, automation, and efficiency.
    • Meanwhile, real-world GenAI use cases across healthcare segments gravitate towards GenAI-based customer support and experience solutions (e.g., chatbots), and code generation and code co-pilots. However, healthcare organizations also note a range of challenges and potential hindrances regarding GenAI solution development and deployment, including patient data security and privacy, scalability, and complexity.
    • Application containerization and Kubernetes® deployments are expanding across the healthcare industry. Container-based infrastructure and application development has the potential to allow organizations to deliver seamless, secure access to patient and business data across hybrid and multicloud environments. Application containerization is pervasive across industry sectors and is set to expand in adoption across healthcare as well, with 99% of industry respondents saying their organization is at least in the process of containerizing applications.This trend may be driven by the fact that 92% of healthcare respondents agree their organization benefits from adopting cloud native applications/containers. These findings suggest that the majority of IT decision-makers in healthcare will be considering how containerization fits into expansion strategies for new and existing workloads.

    For the seventh consecutive year, Nutanix commissioned a global research study to learn about the state of global enterprise cloud deployments, application containerization trends, and GenAI application adoption. In the Fall of 2024, U.K. researcher Vanson Bourne surveyed 1,500 IT and DevOps/Platform Engineering decision-makers around the world. The respondent base spanned multiple industries, business sizes, and geographies, including North and South America; Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA); and Asia-Pacific-Japan (APJ) region.

    To learn more about the report and findings, please download the full Healthcare Nutanix Enterprise Cloud Index, here and read the blog here.

    About Nutanix
    Nutanix is a global leader in cloud software, offering organizations a single platform for running applications and managing data, anywhere. With Nutanix, companies can reduce complexity and simplify operations, freeing them to focus on their business outcomes. Building on its legacy as the pioneer of hyperconverged infrastructure, Nutanix is trusted by companies worldwide to power hybrid multicloud environments consistently, simply, and cost-effectively. Learn more at www.nutanix.com or follow us on social media @nutanix.

    © 2025 Nutanix, Inc. All rights reserved. Nutanix, the Nutanix logo, and all Nutanix product and service names mentioned herein are registered trademarks or unregistered trademarks of Nutanix, Inc. (“Nutanix”) in the United States and other countries. Other brand names or marks mentioned herein are for identification purposes only and may be the trademarks of their respective holder(s). This press release is for informational purposes only and nothing herein constitutes a warranty or other binding commitment by Nutanix. This release may contain express and implied forward-looking statements, which are not historical facts and are instead based on Nutanix’s current expectations, estimates and beliefs. The accuracy of such statements involves risks and uncertainties and depends upon future events, including those that may be beyond Nutanix’s control, and actual results may differ materially and adversely from those anticipated or implied by such statements. Any forward-looking statements included herein speak only as of the date hereof and, except as required by law, Nutanix assumes no obligation to update or otherwise revise any of such forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances.

    The MIL Network –